Court of Protection Paralegal – Public Law & Human Rights department

We are an award-winning multidisciplinary law firm with an exceptional track record offering a wide range of specialist legal services to our clients, from medium-sized businesses and NGOs to public figures and private individuals. Ranked as a top-tier firm by the legal directories, some of the most brilliant lawyers in the country work at Bindmans.

Our Court of Protection team is looking to recruit a paralegal to join us, and help play a vital support role in our cutting edge cases

Overview of key responsibilities

We are seeking to recruit an experienced paralegal within our Court of Protection team, which is a specialist team within the firm’s wider Public Law & Human Rights Department. In this role, you will support two qualified lawyers within the wider Court of Protection team, that comprises one Partner, two Associates and two Solicitors. The team’s work includes:

Acting for parties (including ‘P’) in Court of Protection proceedings concerning health and welfare, property and financial affairs, and medical treatment.
Acting for parties (including the protected party) in proceedings brought under the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court concerning health and welfare, property and financial affairs, and medical treatment.
Advising on issues relating to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and issuing proceedings where necessary/appropriate.
Recognising, and bringing (or signposting) civil claims, judicial review claims, and other claims (such as discrimination claims) arising.

The post holder may ultimately be considered for a training contract at the firm following an internal recruitment process (though there can be no guarantee of a trainee vacancy).

The role will consist of handling new enquiries, assisting fee earners with case preparation, file administration, preparing and managing funding applications to the Legal Aid Agency, undertaking legal research, preparing draft documents including witness statements and schedules, drafting aspects of advice, preparing, collating and ordering documentation, attending round table meetings as well as conferences with counsel, and hearings in the High Court and the Court of Protection.

skills/knowledge requirements

Essential:

Legal qualifications, legal professional experience, and knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, as well as general public law and human rights principles, and experience of the Legal Aid Agency’s procedures, are all desirable.

You will also need to:

be highly motivated, proactive and enthusiastic;
have excellent drafting, communication, organisation and administrative skills;
have a flexible and professional attitude;
have an ability to work on confidential matters and under pressure together with a keen eye for detail.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

Bindmans LLP is an equal opportunities employer, committed to increasing diversity in our firm and our wider profession. Applications from candidates who are BME, have a disability or who are from a less privileged background are particularly encouraged.

How to apply

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details about the role.

If you are interested in applying, please complete the attached Recruitment Pack, quoting the vacancy reference number for the position you are apply.

Completed Recruitment Packs should be emailed to recruitment@bindmans.com

Please note that CVs will not be accepted for this role.

LEGAL ROLE