Solicitor – Court of Protection Team

Hunters Legal is currently working with a progressive law firm with a long history of providing outstanding service and legal advice. Based in the heart of Hertfordshire they help individuals, families and businesses in the local area.

The client is looking to recruit a 2 year PQE + solicitor to help grow the lifetime planning area, in particular the Court of Protection (CoP), deputyship and protection of vulnerable adults offering. They are looking for someone who’s passionate about this area who would enjoy working with their CoP team consisting of a partner, senior associate and CoP manager, to help service the workload and take this team to the next level.

Many of their 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.

The role will involve:

• Preparing all types of standard application to the CoP including statutory Wills and complex applications
• Advising on how care can be funded and organised, to include benefit entitlement (I.e. supported living, residential care)
• Advising and negotiating on eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare funding
• Assisting in the purchase of suitable accommodation and adapting them for the needs of the client
• Controlling and monitoring clients’ budgets
• Liaising with case managers, doctors, therapists, care teams, surveyors, IFAs, architects and other specialists
• Supervising tax affairs and CoP annual accounts
• Supervising junior members of staff
• Proactive marketing and business development to secure further work for the CoP team

Requirements:

• A minimum of 2 years’ 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
• General private client experience (to include drafting Wills and LPAs) would be beneficial
• 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 grow and develop this niche area of work
• Excellent client relationship skills
• An industry specific accreditation or qualification such as SFE would be ideal

For any further questions, or to apply for this role, please do not hesitate to contact Stefan directly on 0203 355 2262, or by email stefan@hunterslegal.com