Legal Assistant - Court of Protection

Job title
Legal Assistant

Department
Private Client – Court of Protection

Our Purpose
To forge long-term relationships that have a positive impact on our people, our clients, our business partners, and our community.

Our Commitment to Our People
We do not think there is a magic formula to the Higgs culture. The key is to listen to and respect our people. If we take care of our people and our people take care of our clients, then everything we want as a firm will take care of itself. We are friendly and open to new ideas.

Our Core Values
Higgs core values are “CLEAR” – Care, Legacy, Excellence, Authenticity, Relationships.

Role Purpose
As a Legal Assistant, you will be working within the Court of Protection team, which is part of the Private Client Department. The team manages the affairs and makes decisions on behalf of people who lack the capacity to do so for themselves. Your empathy, quick thinking, attention to detail, and accuracy are vital attributes. The Court of Protection team is growing, and you will need to have a broad understanding of legal matters, transactions, client requests, and the demands of your team, often connected to vulnerable clients and sensitive or complex issues.

Key Responsibilities
In line with policies and procedures, key responsibilities include:

• Manage new enquiries, taking initial details and gathering relevant information in order to allocate to appropriate fee earner to take further.
• Being a point of contact for existing clients, their family, support team, or third parties involved in the matter.
• Supporting the managing fee earner with, but not limited to:
• Care home visits
• Managing properties
• Managing utilities and household bills
• Preparing for tax returns
• Obtaining online quotes for products and services
• Processing client matter invoices generated internally and making arrangements to settle the same once approved.
• Managing financial budgets and forecasts on behalf of a vulnerable person, including, but not limited to, making claims for welfare benefits and payment of liabilities.
• Maintaining records for both electronic and paper files in order to ensure compliance with the Deputy Standards.
• Preparation of all deputyship accounts for sign off by a Partner / COFA on a quarterly basis in accordance with the SRA Rules.
• Keeping track of key dates and taking action.
• Preparing files to go out to an external costs draftsperson.
• Preparing routine correspondence.
• Actioning incoming emails in a timely way and filing accordingly.
• Providing assistance and legal support to the Court of Protection team in managing various tasks and administration on client matters.

Person Specification

• Personal effectiveness and self-management.
• Good communication, organisational, and team skills.
• Good attention to detail.
• Good people skills, including the ability to build a good rapport and be patient.
• Flexible and dependable, able to take the initiative.
• Able to remain calm under pressure and work to tight deadlines.
• Conscientious, approachable, and enthusiastic.
• Able to quickly build confidence, respect, and trust with others.

Technical Knowledge

• Proficient in the use of standard Microsoft office products.
• Experience of working with vulnerable individuals would be beneficial but not essential.

What You Need To Know
Higgs offers hybrid working wherever possible. Our Higgs’ Best FIT (flexible, inclusive, together) principles are designed to ensure that people can complete their best work from the most appropriate location. If you are looking to work flexibly then let us know and we will do what we can to accommodate your request.

We encourage a ‘dress for your diary’ approach which means dressing in a manner appropriate for your schedule or the specific appointments you have on any given day.

Equal Opportunities
As charter signatories to The Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter, Higgs are committed to developing a diverse business by engaging with the widest pool of talent. We recognise this is an ongoing journey and regularly monitor our figures which can be viewed here.

People Driven. Legal Excellence.