We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we.....
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
Overview
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) assists the Public Guardian with her statutory function which protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. We are an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), set up in 2007 following the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act of 2005.
OPG is responsible for registering lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA) and supervising deputies who are appointed by the Court of Protection.
OPG is a fantastic place to work offering a range of development opportunities. The OPG has signed up to the ‘Time to Change’ pledge which supports mental health in the workplace, as well as recently receiving a health and wellbeing charter accreditation as we are committed to developing a supportive and inclusive environment that reflects the diverse community we serve.
OPG is aiming to have a Digital Power of Attorney in place that meets our customer and stakeholder needs. We aim to have a multiskilled, flexible workforce, working within office/home based locations to meet civil service environment.
Job Description, Duties and Responsibilities
To ensure the Public Guardian’s cases are fully prepared to proceed to Court.
The successful applicants will be required to;-
• Have good communication skills and a
commitment to ensuring deadlines are met.
• Ensure attention to detail in written work.
• Capable of working flexibly and as part of a team, working with and maintain good relationships with all colleagues, particularly lawyers, investigators and case workers.
• To assist OPG lawyers in the preparation and progression of legal matters), with an early review of the case to ensure all documents are received from parties and COP.
• While the lawyer will have overall ownership of the case, you will also be responsible for the case from court application to closure.
Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
• To ensure the Public Guardian (or those representing her) are fully prepared to present cases in Court.
• To assist OPG lawyers, in the preparation and progression of matters through the Court of Protection (COP), with an early review of the case to ensure all documents are received from parties and COP. You will retain ownership of the case from court application to closure.
• This is a fast-paced environment, where you must be able to manage and prioritise your work, through the life of a case including regular reviews and closure.
• To provide administrative support to OPG Lawyers (including the wider Legal Team), to ensure effective delivery of all targets.
• Following instructions from client departments.
• Giving client departments and members of the public, legal information.
• Engaging with the legal team’s client base, to improve and maintain positive working relationships.
• Managing a caseload.
• Inputting case information into the legal case management system and legacy systems accurately.
• Preparing, drafting and proof-reading court forms and witness statements to a consistently high standard.
• Conduct and review and decision making on severance cases.
• Gathering formal statements and evidence from parties and witnesses; and other important documents for Lawyers to review for use in Court.
• Independently considering incoming correspondence and draft responses to standard correspondence, with lawyer oversight.
• Collating and creating Court Bundles and an index following instructions from the lawyer with conduct.
• Filing and general administrative work.
• Interpreting court orders and determining next steps in the matter and actioning administrative steps.
• Providing administrative support to Lawyers which may include, accompanying them to Court, taking notes during Court Hearings or round table meetings.
• Working from lawyer’s instructions, both written and verbal and managing their diaries.
• Carry out directed legal research for the lawyer with conduct.
• Arranging meetings such as case conferences, teleconferences and advocates meetings with respondents, investigators, Counsel, and external Solicitors.
• Liaising with parties to court proceedings, counsel, other external agencies, and members of the public by different methods of communication.
• Be able to identify and refer complex or potentially urgent matters requiring escalation.
• Be able to work both independently and in partnership with the lawyers to help progress and conclude matters. Including carrying out post-litigation tasks to ensure the full closure of a matter.
• Supporting and helping to deliver on projects towards the continuous improvement of the Legal Team’s work.
• Meeting any relevant Impact Indicators and Service Standard targets in respect of the Legal Team.
• Taking part in the development and delivery of training materials to our client base to improve their legal knowledge.
• Keep up to date with any relevant changes in legislation, law, policies and procedures and align your practice with these so that you can continue delivering effective and professional service.
• This role requires the jobholder to travel to other OPG sites and other venues as/when required.
• There may be a requirement to manage staff.
• Handling and storing confidential information.
