Background
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Paralegal to join our Court of Protection team.
The Court of Protection Department is a specialised department dedicated to dealing with the management of the property and financial affairs of people who lack the capacity to deal with these matters themselves.
Our Court of Protection Deputies work closely with families and carers to ensure that the pressures and additional stresses of looking after the individuals’ personal finances are removed. We ensure that contact and liaison is maintained, and decisions taken by us are understood and in the best interests of the individual
In addition to our Court of Protection work, we also act as a professional trustees for those clients who have capacity to manage their finances but choose to have a Personal Injury Trust following a personal injury claim.
The role
Duties will include:
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Assisting with Court of Protection applications
- Liaising with the client and other departments within the firm in relation to conveyancing, employment, private client, and family matters
- Dealing with financial aspects of individuals’ lives, ensuring appropriate financial planning and assessments are undertaken
- Preparing the Deputy’s annual financial reports for the Office of the Public Guardian
- Instructing and liaising with professionals including Case Managers and Therapy Staff
- Arranging for care, facilities and maintenance organisations to visit the client
- Arranging insurance on behalf of clients for their property, cars, holidays, carers, pets etc
- Communicate effectively with clients, their families and healthcare professionals
- Assisting in the running of the trusts and supporting the trustees in decisions made for the beneficiaries.
The role will involve communication with clients via the telephone, email and in person; therefore, excellent interpersonal skills are essential along with a good telephone manner. You might be expected to travel to meet clients and their families.
The successful candidate will be organised, responsible a good team player. The successful candidate should be able to work autonomously following comprehensive training.
This role would ideally suit a law graduate or those with transferrable experience.
Skills & Qualifications
We are looking for a client centred, forward-thinking, diligent, enthusiastic, organised and compassionate individual who is committed to delivering exceptional client service and can bring a dynamic and vibrant approach to the role
The ideal candidate will also have excellent client care skills in order to deal with sensitive issues involving emotional and vulnerable clients.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
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Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong numerical skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- The ability to build positive relationships with clients, families and professional contacts.
- A proactive approach and willingness to take ownership of work.
- Strong teamwork skills and a flexible attitude.
- The ability to deal sensitively and professionally with vulnerable clients and emotionally challenging situations.
- Competent with Excel, PDF, word and outlook.
Life at Hugh James
We never shy away from a challenge
We are a leading, full-service UK law firm. Since our beginning, we have been led by the things that matter. We care about fighting for the right outcomes. Solving the seemingly unsolvable. Protecting businesses, individuals and livelihoods. Supporting our people, our communities. Safeguarding our planet. Looking for a way forward? At Hugh James, challenges – of all sizes – are readily accepted.
The Hugh James difference
Our law firm has always been guided by the idea that self-belief is just as important as skillset. Our pursuit of righting wrongs and protecting what’s important keeps us driving forwards. It’s in our roots! We won’t stop until we find the answers; the outcomes that are needed.
We are focused on the work we do, the business we run, and our culture. Our entrepreneurial spirit has taken us from humble beginnings to a strong presence across the UK with offices in Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Plymouth – servicing clients from businesses, individuals and banks to public sector organisations, property companies, education establishments and utilities providers. Our collegiate culture, our forward-looking ethos, our values serve to make us bigger, better, bolder than ever before.
A positive force in the community
Our work with charities on a local and national level plays a huge part in our day-to-day lives. We work with a large range of charities, some of which we support through fundraising, donations, volunteering and others we partner with where our areas of work cross paths. Staff, clients everyone comes together through a shared passion to do good in the community and support those in need.
Some of our benefits on offer include:
Minimum of 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
Two Corporate Social Responsibility days
Birthday day off
Death in service equivalent to twice annual salary
Auto enrolment pension scheme
Hybrid working
Employee Assistance Programme
Discounts for local businesses
Professional fees paid (subject to requirement for your role)
Employee recruitment incentive scheme
Hugh James is an equal opportunities and disability confident committed employer.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this opportunity. If you have questions, please contact Jack Osborne.
We reserve the right to close our vacancies earlier than the given deadline if we receive sufficient applications for the role.
