Senior Associate Solicitor – Court of Protection

We are looking to recruit a 7+ year PQE solicitor to assist with the lifetime planning area, in particular the Court of Protection (CoP), deputyship and protection of vulnerable adults offering. We are seeking someone who is passionate about this area and who would relish the opportunity to work with our CoP team, consisting of a Partner, CoP Manager and Legal Assistant, to further build and develop the team. The successful candidate will help service the workload, strengthen our market presence and contribute to the continued growth and success of the team.

Many of our existing clients in this area lack the capacity to handle their financial affairs and our CoP team provides the comprehensive service required to set up and manage deputyships within the Court of Protection. We can act as professional deputies and assist with CoP procedures where the deputy is a family member.

Key Responsibilities

The role will involve:

·       Managing a complex caseload of CoP property and affairs matters

·       Preparing and advising on all types of applications to the CoP including financial deputyship and statutory Wills

·       Advising on community care issues including how care can be funded and organised, to include benefit entitlement (i.e. supported living, residential care)

·       Advising and challenging on eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare funding

·       Managing finances and clients’ budgets

·       Liaising with professionals including case managers, doctors, therapists, care teams, surveyors, IFAs, architects and other specialists

·       Supervising tax affairs and submitting CoP annual accounts

·       Supervising junior members of staff

·       Proactive marketing and business development to secure further work for the CoP team

·       Advising and drafting lasting powers of attorney

·       Contributing to the strategic growth and success of the firm

Skills and Attributes

Essential

·       Experience of working in a legal business in a Court of Protection Solicitor role

·       A working knowledge of Court of Protection best practice and a good understanding of deputyship

·       Good team player to include liaising with other teams

·       IT skills – use of a CoP case management would be ideal

·       Experience of efficient working practices such as electronic filing

·       Excellent written and oral communication skills

·       Skills and an enthusiasm to build, grow and develop this niche area of work

·       Excellent client relationship skills

·       An industry specific accreditation or qualification such as SFE would be ideal