Senior Associate Solicitor - Court of Protection

Are you an experienced Court of Protection Solicitor with a passion for making a difference? We are seeking a dedicated and ambitious individual to join our well-established and growing Court of Protection team. This role offers the opportunity to work in a specialist area of law, helping clients and families manage the property and financial affairs of those who are unable to do so themselves.

All of the Team’s clients are vulnerable and most have suffered traumatic brain injuries as the result of catastrophic accidents, but some also have neurological conditionals caused by disease or illness. Due to this they lack the capacity to manage their own property and other financial affairs, so we help do this for them.  The work is fulfilling, challenging and varied – every day, and every client and situation is different.

The successful candidate will be approachable, compassionate and reliable and will be responsible for running their own busy caseload, making day to day decisions regarding client’s financial needs and playing a part in continuing practice development. The role requires a strong working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Office of the Public Guardian’s Deputy Standards, with the ability to apply these effectively in day‑to‑day practice.

The role offers exposure to high‑value and complex deputyship matters, with a key focus on shaping team strategy, supervising and mentoring junior team members, and contributing to the continued growth and strong reputation of the team.

We welcome applications from Solicitors with Court of Protection experience who are seeking to progress their career in this rewarding field, combining high quality legal work with leadership responsibility within a respected and supportive environment.

The role is extremely varied and will involve such tasks as:

·                Preparing and managing applications to the Court of Protection to appoint both professional and lay deputies, including matters of a complex and sensitive nature.

·                Advising on and dealing with Personal Injury Trusts and professional attorneyship matters.

·                Preparing and managing Statutory Will applications.

·                Advising on and overseeing applications under sections 36(9) and 54 of the Trustee Act 1925 in cases involving incapacitated trustees.

·                Preparing and submitting annual Deputy Reports to the Office of the Public Guardian ensuring accuracy and compliance with reporting requirements.

·                Working closely with litigation solicitors in personal injury and clinical negligence matters to secure compensation and ensuring that any award of damages is managed efficiently during the claim and on an ongoing basis.

·                Working collaboratively with professional deputies and Directors on high‑value and complex matters, contributing to strategic decision making and best practice outcomes.

·                Ensuring clients receive all state benefits available to them, preparing and managing monthly budgets and forecasts, actioning financial advisors’ investment recommendations and advice and assisting with the preparation of annual tax returns.

·                Managing sensitive issues and complex family dynamics, including disputes, with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment.

·                Helping to find suitable property for purchase or lease and attending to all aspects of that property, including adaptation, insurance and insurance claims, repairs, paying utility bills etc.

·                Liaising with 3rd party professionals such as case managers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists to ensure clients’ needs are met.

·                Supervising and mentoring junior members of the team and maintaining high technical and professional standards.

·                Representing the team and firm at marketing and networking events, contributing to the continued growth and profile of the team.

We are looking for employees with a flexible, driven and supportive ethos who have:

·      Excellent administration and organisation skills

·      An eye for accuracy and attention to detail

·      The ability to manage and prioritise a busy and varying workload

·      Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish good working relations with clients, external professionals and colleagues

·      The ability to work at a highly professional level

·      A commitment to team goals and personal development

·      Drive to climb the career ladder.

Why join the team at JCP?

You will be able to access a range of excellent employee benefits including:

·         Competitive salary and bonus scheme

·         Private medical insurance and health cash plan

·         Employer pension contribution of 4%

·         Cycle to work scheme

·         Internal training and career development opportunities.

We value diversity and inclusion at JCP and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone in our communities, and particularly from those that are underrepresented in our current workforce including those with a disability and those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.

We are strong supporters of the Welsh language and are very proud to have been the first firm of solicitors to be awarded the “Cynnig Cymraeg/Welsh Offer” recognition by the Welsh Language Commissioner in 2021. We support our Welsh speakers and fund lessons for those who would like to learn Welsh.

Rydym yn gefnogwyr brwd o’r Gymraeg ac yn hynod falch o fod y cwmni cyfreithiol cyntaf i dderbyn cydnabyddiaeth y Cynnig Cymraeg gan Gomisiynydd y Gymraeg yn 2021. Rydym yn cefnogi ein siaradwyr Cymraeg ac yn ariannu gwersi ar gyfer y rhai a hoffai ddysgu’r iaith.

JCP Solicitors is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is open, fair and not influenced by irrelevant considerations.  JCP Solicitors recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, nationality, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or any other prejudice; we therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community.

* Please be aware that JCP Solicitors reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.