Senior Associate - Private Client (Court of Protection)

Your Future At Higgs

Job title

Senior Associate

Career Stage

Level 3

Department

Private Client – Court of Protection

Our Purpose

To forge long-term relationships that have a positive impact on our people, our clients, our business partners, and our communities.

Our Commitment to Our People

We do not think there is a magic formula to the Higgs culture. The key is to listen to and respect our people. If we take care of our people and our people take care of our clients, then everything we want as a firm will take care of itself. We are friendly and open to new ideas.

Our Core Values

Higgs core values are “CLEAR” – Care, Legacy, Excellence, Authenticity, Relationships

Role Purpose

As a Senior Associate in the Court of Protection team you will be responsible for managing a diverse and complex caseload involving property and financial affairs and, where applicable, health and welfare matters.

The role includes advising deputies, attorneys, trustees, and family members on issues relating to mental capacity, best interests, and safeguarding, in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Responsibilities include handling deputyship applications, contested proceedings, statutory wills, and the ongoing administration of deputyship files.

The role requires building strong relationships with vulnerable clients and professional stakeholders, delivering clear, pragmatic, and compassionate advice. In addition, you will provide supervision and mentoring to less experienced lawyers, support business development initiatives, and contributes to the strategic growth of the Court of Protection team.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload of Court of Protection matters, including property and financial affairs and, where relevant, health and welfare cases

• Advise clients, deputies, attorneys, and families on mental capacity, best interests, and safeguarding issues in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005

• Prepare and progress deputyship applications, contested proceedings, and statutory will applications

• Oversee the administration of deputyship files, including reporting obligations and financial management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, medical professionals, case managers, and other stakeholders

• Supervise, mentor, and support less experienced lawyers and trainees within the team

• Contribute to business development activities, networking, and the growth of the Court of Protection practice

• Ensure high standards of client care, compliance, and risk management across all matters

Person Specification

We use a set of criteria to ensure our recruitment process is fair and consistent.

These criteria describe the skills, behaviours and attributes that are essential for success in this role.

The criteria below will be assessed via application (A), interview (I), Test (T) or multiple i.e. (A/I/T).

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrates initiative by staying informed of developments in their practice area and wider sector. Actively applies this knowledge to deliver high-quality outcomes and supports shared learning within the team through clear communication and collaboration. (A/I)

• Applies knowledge of the firm’s policies, regulatory, and accreditation requirements. Demonstrates commercial awareness by supporting efficient working practices, identifying risks, and contributing to the overall financial health of the team and matters. (A/I)

• Delivers excellent client service by producing accurate, timely work and anticipating client needs. Acts as a brand advocate by building strong relationships, representing the firm professionally and contributing to business development initiatives that enhance the firm’s reputation and growth. (A/I)

• Supports the smooth running and performance of the team by planning and allocating work effectively, responding positively to change, and assisting with performance improvement. Builds strong working relationships and encourages a consistent, collaborative approach across the team. (A/I)

• Takes responsibility for delivering high standards of work. Remains positive and professional during periods of change or challenge, contributes constructively to team initiatives, and seeks ongoing development to enhance performance. (A/I)

Technical Know How

• Proficient in using Microsoft 365 applications

What We Offer You

We offer more than just a job. Our benefits reflect our commitment to your development, wellbeing and work-life balance. Click here to discover more.

Higgs offers hybrid working wherever possible. Our Higgs’ Best FIT (flexible, inclusive, together) principles are designed to ensure that people can complete their best work from the most appropriate location. If you are looking to work flexibly then let us know and we will do what we can to accommodate your request.

We also encourage a ‘dress for your diary’ approach which means dressing in a manner appropriate for your schedule or the specific appointments you have on any given day.

Equal Opportunities

Higgs LLP is proud to be a signatory of The Law Society’s Diversity, Inclusion Charter and a Disability Confident Committed Employer. These commitments reflect our dedication to building a workplace that is inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities.

As part of our Disability Confident commitment, we offer a guaranteed interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role and choose to opt into the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

We are also committed to ensuring that all applicants can fully participate in the recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know by contacting us at recruitment@higgsllp.co.uk

We recognise that inclusion is an ongoing journey, and we regularly review and publish our diversity data, which can be accessed here.

People Driven. Legal Excellence.