Court of Protection Solicitor

Court of Protection Solicitor

Location: Bristol
Salary: Competitive
Hours: Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Full time, Permanent

About Davies and Partners Solicitors

Davies and Partners Solicitors is a well-established law firm with over 30 years’ experience. It has a national reputation for excellence, strength, in depth knowledge and a wide selection of legal services for businesses & individuals. There are 5 offices in Gloucester, Bristol, Birmingham, London and Devon.

Reporting Line

This role reports to the Head of Court of Protection in the Bristol office.

Job Purpose

To work as a qualified professional with a team of specialists in the Court of Protection department who are primarily based in Bristol.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

To work alongside senior members of the Department with substantial case files and to provide litigation support, which may include contentious Deputyship work.

To demonstrate an awareness of clients’ needs and perceptions to the discharge of your work for them and to act promptly, pro-actively and efficiently in relation to all client matters.

Areas of work will include all aspects of day to day management of Property and Affairs Deputyships:

Assisting and advising the deputy, working with brain injured and vulnerable clients and their families

Trust administration and advising trustees

Dealing with new enquiries

To have day-to-day contact with clients and act on their individual lifestyle requirements, including making payments and keeping accurate records, and being available to attend clients’ locations when required.

Delegate and supervise tasks where appropriate to paralegals and trainees.

To apply proper professional standards (SRA and OPG Deputy Standards) and gaining an awareness of the provisions of the office manual and observing best practice in the prevention of claims against the firm for professional negligence and in particular operating with a high degree of personal organisation.

To achieve legitimate billing in line with figures to be agreed with the Department/Unit Head.

To comply with all other departmental procedures including the regulation and control client indebtedness.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the law in your areas of specialisation and to comply with the continuing professional development requirements.

To seek to develop and improve the quality of your workload and level of your expertise.

The following tasks provide a general overview of the types of activity, the candidate will be expected to engage in or oversee on a day-to-day basis. The tasks are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities as all employees are required to be flexible, dynamic and have the capacity to think creatively when presented with challenges.

Your job title does not define or limit your duties and you may be required to carry out other work within your abilities from time to time at our request.

We reserve the right to introduce changes in line with technological developments which may impact upon your job duties or methods of working.

Where You’ll Be Based

Davies and Partners Solicitors, 250 Aztec West, Park Avenue, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4TR

Working Hours

Monday to Friday – 37.5 hours per week flexible hours in the Bristol office

Some hybrid working can be agreed but should be flexible to suit departmental needs

What We’re Looking For

Legal Status

Appropriate DBS disclosure will be required prior to confirmation of appointment

Right to live and work in the UK e.g. valid UK passport or appropriate visa/work permits

Education and Qualifications

Legally qualified as a Solicitor and registered with the SRA, or FCILEx qualified Legal Executive within Court of Protection, with between 1–5 years PQE (Grade B or C)

Skills and Knowledge

Experience of Court of Protection law and practice

Ability to maintain and build upon existing client relationships through positive business development and acting as an ambassador of the company

Self-organised and proactive

Ability to take responsibility and solve problems

Attention to detail

Adaptable to the needs of the business as changes occur during the operational requirements

Competent in the effective use of Case Management and other IT systems

The ability to prioritise, meet deadlines, and work under pressure

Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills

Desired Experience

Previously worked in a busy Property affairs team

Familiar with applications relating to statutory funding challenges and education appeals

Compliance

As part of our compliance procedures, applicants are asked to note that:

References will be followed up

All gaps in CVs must be explained satisfactorily

Proof of identity and (where applicable) qualifications will be required

Reference requests will ask specifically whether the applicant has ever been subject to any proceedings/complaints initiated by the Law Society or any other professional body

Appropriate suitability checks may be required prior to confirmation of appointment

This role meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This role will require applicants who are offered employment to be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions.

Equal Opportunities

Davies and Partners Solicitors provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable national laws. Davies and Partners Solicitors complies with applicable national laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

You may have experience in the following: Court of Protection Solicitor, Deputyship Solicitor, Court of Protection Lawyer, Property and Affairs Solicitor, Court of Protection Legal Executive, Private Client Solicitor, Trust Solicitor, Deputyship Lawyer, Property and Affairs Deputy, Court of Protection Associate, etc