Court of Protection (Health & Welfare) Solicitor – Nationwide

Job Description: Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Ltd):

Regulated by the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority, Duncan Lewis Solicitors was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in the City of London (Fenchurch Street EC3M), with offices nationwide. We are recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK independent legal directories as a top-tier law firm in all of our key practice areas – “a diligent and professional team that is prepared to go the extra mile for its clients”. A paperless law firm with over 500 personnel that embraces hybrid-working, we service both corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 areas of law across 60 languages. We give people a voice - that is our ethos.

Recognised among The Times 200 Best Law Firms, we have been awarded Law Firm of the Year at the 2024 Lexis Nexis Awards and 2023 Modern Law Awards, reflecting our dedication to legal expertise and client service. We hold Investors in People Gold Standard accreditation for over 15 years, showcasing our commitment to professional development. Duncan Lewis is also Law Society Lexcel, Cyber Essentials Plus, and ISO 27001 certified, ensuring excellence in practice management and data security.

We are committed to recruiting dedicated and talented professionals and welcome applications from exceptional candidates. At Duncan Lewis, we value training and diversity, and we take pride in our inclusive workforce.

Court of Protection Department Background:

The Court of Protection determines matters concerning individuals, mainly adults, who lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves, including in disputes about capacity and best interests across health and welfare, medical treatment, deprivation of liberty, and property and financial affairs.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ Court of Protection department is consistently ranked by Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500, and is recognised for its client-focused approach, technical excellence and commitment to representing vulnerable individuals. The directories describe the team as bringing both legal rigour and a strong human perspective to its work, with practitioners who “understand this area legally as well as from a human perspective”.The department has particular strength in deprivation of liberty, section 16 and section 21A matters, cross-jurisdictional matters and complex, multi-party welfare disputes, often involving and significant public law issues. The team also frequently acts for children and young adults with additional needs in high-value personal injury and related Court of Protection proceedings.

Our health and welfare Court of Protection lawyers work closely with colleagues in Court of Protection (property and affairs), community care, clinical negligence, family, childcare and public law, ensuring holistic and joined-up representation. The team regularly acts on instructions from the Official Solicitor and supports clients, families and professional advocates through some of the most sensitive and emotionally charged cases, always keeping the welfare of the individual at the heart of decision-making.

Main Responsibilities of the Role:

• Report directly to your supervisor or Department Director.
• Your will be responsible for conducting all aspects of Court of Protection case work (health and welfare) across a variety of case types including general welfare and deprivation of liberty challenges
• Where appropriate providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members.
• Manage appropriate caseload types and complexities
• Assist with delivery of appropriate training and development in the department
• Ensuring compliance with file management and maintaining accurate time-costing procedures
• Business development and supporting the marketing and growth of the firm and COP department

Key Skills Required:

• 0- 3 years’ post qualification experience (PQE) in handling a case load of mental capacity welfare work
• Mental Capacity (welfare) Accreditation would be desirable but not essential
• Must have a clean, valid Practicing Certificate at the time of applying
• Experience in own advocacy is an advantage
• Working knowledge of the publicly funded Court of Protection work and the ability to service privately funded cases
• Good working knowledge of Mental Capacity Law and practice appropriate to PQE
• Professional with a proactive approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with vulnerable client matters sensitively and resolve complicated practicalities
• Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills
• Ability to use own initiative and sound judgment
• Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills
• Manage your own caseload and meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate and organized case records.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and build strong client relationships.

What we offer

• Competitive salary
• Hybrid working options available in accordance with company policy.
• A fantastic supportive team
• Excellent progression opportunities
• Support for appropriate legal awards/recognition