Solicitor - Court of Protection, Health & Welfare

Are you a solicitor with contentious experience looking for work where you can make a meaningful difference to peoples lives? Perhaps you work in family law, mental health law or a local authority and would welcome the opportunity to develop a specialist practice.

Legal Southwest is recruiting for a specialist firm in Taunton following a substantial increase in instructions. The firm is seeking a qualified solicitor to manage their own caseload of legally aided, contentious health and welfare matters.

About the firm

Our client specialises in Court of Protection, mental capacity and mental health law, alongside inquests, social care law and judicial review. Its wider practice also includes care planning and lasting powers of attorney.

The team supports people facing difficult decisions about their care, treatment and living arrangements, including vulnerable adults who lack capacity to make particular decisions for themselves. This is work with a direct and lasting impact on clients' everyday lives.

The role

You will manage your own caseload, with the complexity and allocation of work tailored to your experience and stage of qualification. Previous experience in this specialism is welcome, but the firm can provide training in the specific area of law if you bring a sound grounding in contentious practice.

Your work will include:

Managing contentious Court of Protection health and welfare matters.

Preparing cases and progressing proceedings, working with clients, their representatives and other professionals.

Visiting clients in care homes, hospitals and supported living settings.

Taking time to understand each client's circumstances, wishes and communication needs.

Developing specialist knowledge, with potential involvement in inquest work.

About you

You will be a qualified solicitor with contentious experience and the ability to take responsibility for your own caseload.

The firm would particularly welcome applications from solicitors with backgrounds in local authority work, family law, domestic abuse matters or mental health law. An interest in inquests would also be welcome.

Compassion, patience and strong communication skills are essential. You will need to build trust with people whose circumstances may be complex or distressing, adapt your approach to their needs and remain sensitive to the real lives behind the legal issues. You must also be willing to travel to meet clients in their care and living environments.

Working arrangements

The role is based in Taunton, with a more office-based induction to support training and integration into the team. Following this, the anticipated arrangement is predominantly remote working, with attendance at the Taunton office approximately one day per week, alongside client visits and any other attendance required for your cases.

Why consider this opportunity?

This is an opportunity to build specialist expertise in a demanding and deeply rewarding area of practice. You will take on work that matters to the people involved, helping ensure their voices are heard and their rights and interests are represented.