Court of Protection Paralegal

Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Ltd.):

Regulated by the Solicitors 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 across our key practice areas, described as "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 across more than 25 areas of law and in over 60 languages. We give people a voice, that is our ethos.

Recognised among The Times Best Law Firms, we have been awarded Law Firm of the Year at both the 2024 LexisNexis Awards and the 2023 Modern Law Awards, reflecting our commitment to excellence in legal services and client care. We also hold Investors in People Gold Accreditation, together with Lexcel, Cyber Essentials Plus, and ISO 27001 certifications.

Court of Protection Department:

Our Our Court of Protection team acts as professional deputy for vulnerable individuals who lack mental capacity to manage their finances. The role of a deputy is similar to that of a trustee. We deal with all aspects of Court of Protection work relating to property and finances including preparing applications to the court, obtaining mental capacity assessments and building strong relationships with vulnerable clients.

Our clients may lack capacity due to mental illness, a learning disability, dementia or brain injury. They can be very vulnerable to financial exploitation. Usually, our clients have been awarded compensation or received an inheritance and they need our support to keep their money safe and to ensure that expenditure is in their best interests.

The director of our Court of Protection finance team, Philippa Barton, is a member of the approved panel of professional deputies managed by the Office of the Public Guardian. The OPG refer a wide range of clients to us, many with complex lives and affairs. This is an unusual area of the law in that the deputy carries a lot of responsibility when making financial decisions on behalf of our clients.

As a Paralegal, you will assist with liaising with clients and professionals, preparing court applications, handling financial administration and attending court hearings and client visits. The role is always interesting due to the wide variety of clients and the difficult situations you will need to help them with.

Duties and responsibilities

• Report directly to the Department Director.
• Assist solicitors and fee earners with Court of Protection matters from inception to conclusion.
• Prepare and draft Court applications, witness statements, correspondence, and supporting documents under supervision.
• Liaise with clients, family members, deputies, the Office of the Public Guardian, healthcare professionals, and other third parties.
• Review medical records, mental capacity assessments, financial information, and other relevant evidence.
• Conduct legal research and assist with the preparation of court bundles and hearing documentation.
• Maintain accurate file records and ensure compliance with court deadlines, regulatory requirements, and internal procedures.
• Record time accurately and support the team in achieving departmental objectives.
• Deliver excellent client care with professionalism, empathy, and sensitivity.
• Implementing any recommendations made by your supervisor following monthly file reviews ensuring that these are dealt with promptly

Experience and qualifications

Essential:

• A minimum of 18 months' relevant legal experience is required, together with a genuine interest in Court of Protection work.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical ability.
• Professional and proactive approach to work.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent client care skills and experience working with vulnerable clients and their families.
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications and case management systems.

Desirable:

• A strong academic background with a Law Degree or equivalent legal qualification.
• Previous experience within a Court of Protection, Private Client, Community Care, Personal Injury, or Litigation department.
• Knowledge of the Court of Protection Rules, and Office of the Public Guardian procedures.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary
• A fantastic supportive team
• Excellent progression opportunities
• Support for appropriate legal awards/recognition

Company culture

At Duncan Lewis Solicitors, we are committed to attracting and developing talented individuals who share our dedication to excellence and client service. We value diversity, inclusion and professional development, creating an environment where employees can thrive and achieve their career aspirations.

We are proud of our diverse workforce and strive to ensure that our teams reflect the communities we serve.

The recruitment process will fully comply with GDPR and other applicable laws. Background checks, including DBS checks, may be undertaken to establish eligibility to work in the UK and suitability for the role.

Equal Opportunities:

Duncan Lewis is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity across all levels of the organisation. We guarantee an interview for candidates who disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the role. Please provide further details in your covering letter if this applies.