POV – A day in the life of a Legal Assistant in the Court of Protection Team at WBW Solicitors.
What does the Court of Protection Team do?
The Court of Protection Team at WBW Solicitors helps to manage the affairs of clients who lack mental capacity, we can apply for a Deputyship Order, one off and standalone Order, Health and Welfare Orders and Orders relating to the sale or purchase of property, to name a few. As a team, we also manage clients’ affairs under Lasting Powers of Attorney documents for clients who chose to appoint our firm whilst they still had mental capacity.
This is a niche area of law and rarely heard of or understood. Indeed, I had never heard of this area of law until my interview at WBW Solicitors for a position in the Private Client Department.
In the interview, as the overview of the team’s objectives and duties was described to me, I realised it was similar to that of running a household and family, but on behalf of somebody else who could not do this for themselves. This might appear simple and very much what we all do in our day to day lives, so what’s the big deal you may ask?
Well, as a professional Attorney or Deputy, we are bound by complex legislation, rules, and standards such as the Deputy Standards, and are regularly audited by the SRA and government bodies to ensure we are maintaining high standards of service towards all of our clients and are always acting in their best interests above all else.
What does the Court of Protection Team do day-to-day?
Most of our clients have very complex finances, care needs, and personal challenges. We support and promote our clients’ independence as much as we can and step in to assist where they are unable to. They can often include management of their finances in relation to their accommodation, benefits, banks, etc and liaise with medical professionals, Local Authorities and the list goes on. We also assist with a variety of health and welfare issues from the practical day to day problems to the more complex, life sustaining treatment decisions.
As a Legal Assistant, our working day may consist of anything from drafting a Deputyship Application or benefits review form, to co-ordinating quotes for repairs to the client’s home, telephoning utility companies or banks to iron out problems, managing enquiries or simply arranging a birthday cake to celebrate the client’s 90th birthday. No two days are ever the same!
I have worked in the Court of Protection Team for a few years now and can honestly say I’m hooked! I feel I am helping clients, especially those who are the most vulnerable in society, and this gives me an enormous sense of job satisfaction but more importantly, overall pride in what we do.
If you would like to know more about what we do or if you have an enquiry you believe we can assist with, please contact The Court of Protection Team on 01626 202404 or email lawyer@wbw.co.uk.
WBW Solicitors has offices in Axminster, Bovey Tracey, Brixham, Chard, Exeter, Exmouth, Honiton, Launceston, Newton Abbot, Paignton, Seaton, Sidmouth, and Torquay.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please note that the law may have changed since this article was published.
