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.
Choosing a career with Duncan Lewis is choosing a law firm that is the largest provider of publicly funded (legal aid) legal services in the country and has a growing private client practice. We have been Investors in People Gold Standard accredited for over 15 years and are continuously applauded nationally for the work that we do.
Having demonstrated unparalleled legal expertise and a commitment to justice, we were awarded Law Firm of the Year at both the 2024 Lexis Nexis Awards and 2023 Modern Law Awards. We are named as one of the Times 200 Best Law Firms. In 2021 we were celebrated by the Chambers Europe Award as an 'outstanding firm' for diversity and inclusion.
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. If you are passionate about our areas of law and eager to advance your career with us, please submit your CV and application online.
Court of Protection Department Background:
The Court of Protection adjudicates or resolves disputes that concern adults who lack mental capacity to make decisions. Disputes typically include whether the person has the capacity to make decisions and what is in that person's best interests.
Our Court of Protection team has been recognised by The Legal 500 for their dedication to achieving the best possible results for their clients and for putting a "tremendous amount of work" into their cases. The team is multidisciplinary team regularly collaborating with the company's experts in mental capacity, mental health, community care, clinical negligence, family, childcare and public law.
We are dedicated to our clients and support family members and advocates, and are regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor in cases relating to the wellbeing of an individual who lacks capacity, including health and welfare, medical treatment, financial issues and mental capacity.
Main Responsibilities of the Role:
- Report directly to Department Director.
- Responsible for all aspects of Court of Protection work (health and welfare) and, on occasions, where appropriate providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members.
- Conduct court of protection litigation and advocacy in relevant court hearings.
- Professional proactive approach, strong client care skills and a sensitive and sympathetic understanding of clients' needs.
- Ability to manage appropriate caseload types and complexities.
- Attending clients, taking instructions and preparing cases.
- Dealing with correspondence.
- Maintaining accurate time-costing procedures.
- Implementing any recommendations made by your supervisor/director following monthly file reviews ensuring that these are dealt with promptly.
- Ensuring compliance with file management.
- You will have a professional, pro-active approach, strong client care skills and be interested in Business Development and Marketing to supplement the substantial work volumes brought in by the Company.
Key Skills Required:
- Have extensive experience in dealing with health and welfare Court of Protection-related work
- 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
- Must have a clean, valid Practising Certificate at the time of applying
- Team player and adapts well to new challenges
- Previous proven supervisory experience is desirable and working on key performance indicators is essential
- 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 organisational skills
- Ability to use own initiative and sound judgment
- Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills
- Proven ability to manage a demanding caseload and meet deadlines.
- Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate and organised case records.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team and build strong client relationships.
If you are a highly motivated and qualified solicitor looking for an opportunity to work in a dedicated team, please submit your CV and cover letter online.
What we offer
- A fantastic supportive team
- Excellent progression opportunities
- Support for appropriate legal awards/recognition
The recruitment process will fully comply with GDPR and other applicable laws. Background checks including CRB / DBS checks will establish your eligibility to work in the UK and suitability to the role.
Equal Opportunities:
Duncan Lewis is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity of its staff. The Company strives to ensure that our staff reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, which is reflective at all levels within our workforce.
We guarantee an interview for candidates that disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the post. Please provide additional details in your covering letter if this applies.