Legal Assistant - Court of Protection Property and Finance team

Full-time | Westgate House, Warwick.

As a Legal Assistant you will be working within the Court of Protection Property and Finance team. The team manages the affairs and makes decisions on behalf of people who lack the capacity to do so for themselves.

Tasks managed by the team include but are not limited to:

• Managing a vulnerable individual’s bank accounts and property
• Settling a vulnerable individual’s liabilities
• Managing a vulnerable individual’s utilities
• Purchasing items on behalf of a vulnerable individual
• Liaising with the family and friends of a vulnerable individual
• Liaising with social services and care givers of a vulnerable individual
• Undertaking asset searches
• Undertaking benefit reviews
• Completing tax returns
• Completing care funding reviews
• Completing the Office of the Public Guardian annual report
• Making applications to the Court of Protection

Your empathy, quick thinking, attention to detail and accuracy are vital attributes. The Court of Protection team are a growing team, and you will need to have a broad understanding of legal matters, transactions, client requests and the demands of your team often connected to vulnerable clients and sensitive or complex issues.

Key responsibilities

In line with policies and procedures key responsibilities include:

Legal skills

• Manage new enquiries, taking initial details and gathering relevant information in order to allocate to appropriate fee earner to take further
• Being a point of contact for existing clients, their family, support team or third parties involved in the matter
• Supporting the managing fee earner with, but not limited to:
  • Care home visits.
  • Managing properties
  • Managing utilities and household bills
  • Preparing for tax returns
  • Obtaining online quotes for products and services
• Processing client matter invoices generated internally and making arrangements to settle the same once approved
• Managing financial budgets and forecasts on behalf of a vulnerable person including, but not limited to making claims for welfare benefits and payment of liabilities
• Maintaining records for both electronic and paper files in order to ensure compliance with the Deputy Standards
• Preparation of all deputyship accounts for sign off by Senior Solicitor
• Keeping track of key dates and taking action
• Preparing files to go out to an external costs’ draftsperson
• Preparing routine correspondence
• Actioning incoming emails in a timely way and filing accordingly
• Providing assistance and legal support to the Court of Protection Property and Finance team in managing various tasks and administration on client matters

Person specification

• Personal effectiveness and self-management
• Good communication, organisational and team skills
• Good attention to detail
• Good people skills, including ability to build a good rapport and be patient
• Flexible and dependable, able to take the initiative
• Able to remain calm under pressure and work to tight deadlines
• Conscientious, approachable, and enthusiastic
• Able to quickly build confidence, respect, and trust with others

Technical knowledge

• Proficient in the use of standard Microsoft office products
• Experience of working with vulnerable individuals would be beneficial but not essential
• Legal administration and accounting experience beneficial