COP vs Private Client

[galaxywipple]

Any court of protection solicitors here? I e potentially got an opportunity to start doing COP work instead of private client work (trusts, estates, wills etc) and I am torn between the two.

I have the STEP certificate in advising vulnerable clients, and have worked with a professional deputy before.

I work in a fairly large well respected team of private client solicitors. I would be the only one doing COP work and the lack of someone to discuss things with is putting me off.

Any thoughts or advice?

I'm a COP solicitor and love it. Every case is different and every day brings something new. However, I work within a team and have very good support if something unusual or tricky arises. I don't think I would want to be the only person doing this work in a team. It can be challenging and emotive and it's useful to have others to offload and discuss issues with. Could your firm consider how it would support you to do the work?

Thank you for your reply.

The partners would support me with training and a paralegal to assist me, but there would be no one to help with tricky applications for example.

I like being able to bounce ideas off colleagues, and I am happy doing what I'm doing, but have always been drawn to COP work and wonder if this could be a good opportunity. It's a bit daunting though! Might have a chat with the head of dept and find out a bit more info.

Do you do DOLS work and mental health law too?

Yes, I do. I have a varied caseload across DOLS and a bit less so Mental Health. It's very busy and rewarding. I wonder whether your firm could maybe second you to another firm to get some experience for a few months? I'm sure the partners will have some ideas. If you have a good and experienced paralegal they will be able to support you really well too. (I was and work with some brilliant paralegals from other firms).

I've been doing COP work since the current COP was established and absolutely love it! I now work in a small team within a bigger PC dept. I can understand your reservations about the lack of colleagues to bounce ideas off - there is a Professional Deputies Forum which is great for weird and wonderful queries and (depending on the location where you work) you may find that other local practitioners are happy to talk things over as it's a bit less competitive than general PC work (ie if I'm appointed deputy I am not going to lose that client- unless I do something dreadful, obvs!)
Does your firm have a legal aid franchise so you can represent the relevant person in sec 21A MCA dols challenges? That's often really interesting (but we don't do legal aid.) Good luck.

Thank you so much for your reply.
We don't have a legal aid contract.
I know it's not really the "done thing" on mumsnet, but would either of you be willing to have a chat with me about what a typical day looks like for you, and just for me to use you as a bit of a sounding board? I have no one in real life to ask that is a COP solicitor so I am finding it really hard to make a decision.

Of course, feel free to DM me and I'll send you my contact details. I can't say I really have a typical day (and work for a local authority) so will be different to your position but happy to have a chat about it.

Yes happy to chat!