Court of Protection (Health & Welfare) / Mental Health Solicitor
Location:
Darlington
PQE:
NQ – 3 Years
Salary:
Competitive, dependent on experience
A specialist and values-driven Legal 500 law firm in Darlington is looking to recruit a Solicitor to join its growing Court of Protection Health & Welfare and Mental Health team.
This is a rare opportunity to undertake deeply meaningful work, supporting and representing some of the most vulnerable individuals at the most challenging times in their lives.
The firm is very willing to retrain the right candidate
and welcomes applications from solicitors who are looking to transition into this area of law. Full training, supervision and ongoing support will be provided to develop the necessary technical expertise.
The Role
You will undertake a caseload primarily focused on
Court of Protection Health & Welfare matters
, with some
Mental Health law
work (ideally a greater proportion of COP than MH).
The work will involve:
* Acting for vulnerable individuals in Court of Protection proceedings
* Representing clients in health and welfare disputes, including serious medical treatment cases
* Advising on capacity, best interests, care arrangements and deprivation of liberty matters
* Undertaking advocacy where appropriate
* Representing clients detained under the Mental Health Act, including Tribunal work
* Working closely with families, litigation friends, medical professionals and local authorities
This is a busy and rewarding, court-facing role requiring confidence, resilience and strong client care skills.
Who Should Apply?
The firm is open-minded and actively willing to retrain solicitors from a variety of backgrounds, including:
* Criminal law
* Family law
* Mental health law
* Court of Protection (Property & Affairs)
* Other people-focused or litigation-based disciplines
If you have experience supporting vulnerable clients, managing sensitive situations, or running a busy court practice, your skills will be highly transferable. Technical training in Court of Protection Health & Welfare and Mental Health law will be provided.
Candidates from
NQ up to 3 years PQE
are encouraged to apply.
The Ideal Candidate:
* Demonstrates empathy and a strong commitment to client welfare
* Comfortable managing a busy and sometimes emotionally complex caseload
* Confident in court or keen to develop advocacy skills
* Organised and able to work independently with supervision
* Motivated to specialise and build a long-term career in this field
Why Apply?
* Full training and support provided for those retraining
* Opportunity to specialise in highly rewarding and impactful work
* Growing and developing team
* Strong supervision from experienced practitioners
* Competitive salary
* Hybrid working
This is an excellent opportunity for a compassionate and motivated solicitor whether experienced in this area or looking to retrain to build a meaningful long-term career in Court of Protection Health & Welfare and Mental Health law within a supportive and specialist environment. Please contact Stan Wilson at Simpson Judge today.