The Role:

This role would be suitable for a candidate who can demonstrate good experience and have a real interest in Court of Protection work.

The successful candidate would need to be able to work independently with minimal supervision and want to contribute to the team and its development.

Work would include:

• Preparation of Court of Protection applications to include Deputy applications and ancillary applications relating to Statutory Wills, gifts and other one-off decisions as required;
• Planning, organisation and monitoring of the clients’ financial affairs, working closely with the appointed Deputy;
• Preparation of annual Deputy Reports to the OPG, dealing with Costs Draftsman and the Senior Court Costs Office in relation to billing to include e-billing;
• Dealing directly with and advising elderly, disabled and vulnerable individuals in the everyday execution of their financial and personal affairs;
• Acting in the protection of those clients from abuse, coercion and exploitation and liaising with safeguarding teams where required;
• Careful management and support to the family/support network of our clients, as well as lay Attorneys and lay Deputies;
• Working with Case Managers, Managers of Care/Residential/Nursing Homes, support workers, social workers, financial advisors, psychologists and other professionals/experts;
• Having an awareness of and being able to identify potential tax issues, care funding needs, deliberate deprivation of assets, and benefit issues;
• Having experience of dealing with the sale, purchase and adaption of properties through the Court to meet the Patient’s needs and requirements;
• Being familiar with a variety of applicable rules and legislation and in particular, the Mental Capacity Act, the Care Act and the Professional Deputy Standards.
• Being familiar and up to date with all case law affecting this area of work, in particular; Re Acc, Re PW and Lumb;

Skill and Knowledge

A 3+ year PQE level as a Solicitor / Legal Executive / CILEx is essential. ACTAPS and/or STEP membership welcomed but not essential. 

Ability to manage and prioritise a busy case load, have excellent client care skills together with an affinity with dealing the elderly, disabled and vulnerable persons.

The successful candidate will also be expected to promote and develop the firm and the team internally and externally maintaining its reputation.

The Candidate

The successful applicant must be able to work effectively within a team. Task assignment amongst the team is constant to ensure the matter is undertaken in the most cost effective manner possible for the client.

The successful candidate must be professional, organised, competent, enthusiastic and ambitious.  To work with other fee earners and seek advice and assistance whenever needed to develop knowledge and skills of all members of the wider team. Ensure that all courses booked are attended including any management courses provided to develop personal skills. 

Need to have access to transport for work use and be insured for work purposes. WBW have offices across Devon and Cornwall and the successful candidate must be able to travel to these offices independently as well as to meet with clients, as and when required.

Contact Details

To apply for this role, please send your CV and a covering letter to recruitment@wbw.co.uk. For further information, please contact the same email address.