Court of Protection Solicitor

Accepting instruction on and managing a caseload of Court of Protection – Health and Welfare Matters on behalf of individuals who lack the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, particularly aspects of their daily life, care, and personal wellbeing.

You will be responsible for advising and representing clients in a wide range of Court of Protection proceedings, including applications and disputes relating to:

• Determining whether an individual has the mental capacity to make a specific decision.
• Decisions regarding where a person should live and the care and support they receive.
• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and applications to authorise or challenge restrictions on a person's freedom.
• Arrangements concerning contact with family members, friends, and other individuals.
• Medical treatment decisions, including serious medical treatment and medication management.
• Issues relating to relationships, sexual relations, contraception, and marriage.
• A person's ability to access and use the internet and social media platforms.
• Participation in religious observance and spiritual practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing a health and welfare caseload of up to 20 files.
• Building and maintaining a professional working relationship with claimants
• Compliance with procedures set out in the office manual, professional standards and any requirement set by the Legal Aid Agency or similar interested bodies e.g. Legal Expense Insurers.
• To contribute towards the development of the department and firm.

Key Requirements

• Must be a qualified Solicitor in England & Wales and hold a current practising certificate
• Demonstrated experience in managing a caseload of COP matters
• Good track record of achieving consistently high levels of billing and time recording, taking into account the level of expertise required.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy, compassion, and professionalism when advising clients and their families on complex and often emotionally challenging Health and Welfare issues.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Simpson Millar is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and given equal opportunity to succeed. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues can be themselves, thrive, and reach their full potential. We believe that diversity of thought, experience, and perspective makes us stronger and helps us better serve our clients, colleagues, and communities

Please note that we recruit on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to assess applications and make an appointment before the advertised closing date, therefore early applications are encouraged.