The vacancy

We are looking for a solicitor to join our Court of Protection team. Atkins & Palmer is a growing firm and the role has excellent opportunities for career development, as well as a friendly team and supportive work environment.

About the firm

Atkins & Palmer is a specialist Court of Protection and mental health law firm. Our office is in Chiswick, south west London.

The role

You will work within our Court of Protection team managing a caseload of Court of Protection welfare matters. You will be expected to carry out the usual tasks when running a case; for example, preparing witness statements, instructions to experts, briefing counsel, attending court and meeting with clients. You will often be working with clients who are vulnerable, or family members of vulnerable clients.

You will receive a thorough induction and appropriate support from a designated supervisor to enable you to succeed and feel comfortable in carrying out the role.  As well as managing a caseload, you will be involved in marketing to continue to raise the profile of the firm and expand the client base. You will also have a learning and development plan with opportunities to work towards supervisor status or obtain Law Society accreditations where appropriate.

The ideal candidate

The following is essential:

• A qualified solicitor or Legal Executive (CILEX), with an experience level of newly qualified or above.
• A solid understanding of matters arising from the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Court of Protection practice and procedures, SRA regulations and legal aid contract requirements.
• The ability to manage your own caseload, to work well under pressure, good time management skills and good team working skills.
• Excellent client care skills and experience of working with vulnerable clients.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

The following is desirable:

• Law Society Mental Capacity (Welfare) Accreditation
• Meeting the Legal Aid Agency supervisor status in the category of mental health law
• Experience of community care work, including judicial review
• Experience of conducting advocacy
• A driving licence

Salary

The guide salary band for this role is £35,000 – £50,000, dependent on level of experience.

Location

The role is based in our office in Chiswick, south west London.

Benefits

We offer the following benefits:

• 25 days holiday
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay
• Enhanced sick leave pay
• Birthday leave
• Miscarriage leave
• Enhanced child bereavement leave pay
• Paid time off work for volunteering

Start date

As soon as possible, but this can be flexible to suit a successful candidate.

Application & interview

To apply for this role, please send your CV and a covering letter to enquiry@atkinsandpalmer.co.uk

Your covering letter should set out how you meet the essential experience and skills for the role as set out in this advert. You should also include any additional experience and skills you would bring to the role. The interviews will take place at our office in Chiswick.