Court of Protection Legal Executive

Achieve Professionals are seeking a qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive with 3+ PQE to join an excellent firm in the Court of Protection department.

Position: Court of Protection Solicitor/ Legal Executive

Location: Newton Abbot

Qualification & Experience:

• Preparation of COP applications to include Deputy applications and ancillary applications such as applications relating to Statutory Wills and gifts etc
• Experience of representing in Court
• Planning, organisation and monitoring of general management of financial affairs, household (to include payroll of care staff) and other expenditure to include being able to budget and manage financial schedules etc.;
• 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;
• Dealing with and advising the family of our clients, lay Attorneys and lay Deputies;
• Working with Case Managers, Managers of Care/Residential/Nursing Homes and other professionals/experts;
• Advising on challenges to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) (soon to be Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) authorisations and working with representatives such as IMCAs;
• Having an awareness of and being able to identify potential tax issues for referral to our dedicated Tax Department;
• Having an awareness of and being able to identify care funding needs, deliberate deprivation of assets, and benefit issues for referral to our dedicated benefit experts and Community Care Department;
• Having experience of dealing with the sale, purchase and adaption of properties through the COP to meet the Patient’s needs and requirements;
• Being knowledgeable in and able to advise on the Mental Capacity Act and other related rules, regulations and legislation such as the Care Act.

Skills & Attributes:

• Demonstrate good experience and have a real interest in Court of Protection work
• Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with 3+ PQE
• Access to a motor vehicle for work use and be insured for work purposes
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and want to contribute to the team and its development
• Good experience and have a real interest in Court of Protection work
• STEP membership welcomed but not essential
• Ability to manage and prioritise a busy case load
• Excellent client care skills together with an affinity with dealing with the elderly, disabled and vulnerable persons and enjoy helping those people manage their finances and their lives for the better

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Flexibility
• Generous holiday plan
• Fantastic benefits package