We’re a national law firm with a local reach. Our legal experts are here for you. Whether it’s personal or business, we understand that everyone’s situation is different. But we’re more than just a law firm – we’re a team of people working together to help individuals and businesses navigate life’s ups and downs. Working here you’ll feel a part of our friendly and inclusive environment.

We’ll value you for who you are and what you bring. We support each other and push boundaries to achieve incredible things and make a real difference to our clients and communities.

We're always looking to support our colleagues to work in a way that works best for them and everyone else, including our clients, the business and the regulators. Please speak to a member of our Recruitment and Onboarding team for more information.

About the Team

Our Public Law & Human Rights team specialises in mental capacity, deprivation of liberty, and health & welfare disputes in the Court of Protection, acting for vulnerable adults and their families. The department is consistently recognised in national directories for its expertise in health and welfare work before the Court of Protection.

The Newcastle team is led by Helen Smith, a Partner specialising in complex welfare cases involving adults who lack capacity, including challenges about residence, care, contact, capacity assessments and safeguarding issues. She is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor, family members and advocates.

The Role

We are seeking a Solicitor to support the Newcastle team with a dedicated CoP Health & Welfare caseload, which may include:

• Section 21A challenges to deprivation of liberty
• Best interests applications (residence, care, contact, medical issues)
• Capacity disputes
• Safeguarding and risk-related matters
• Supporting vulnerable clients with complex needs

You will work closely with a highly experienced Partner and gain exposure to high-quality, meaningful cases.

Experience in the following is desirable but not essential:

• Solicitor – NQ – 4 years PQE
• Court of Protection (Health & Welfare)
• Mental capacity matters
• Work with vulnerable adults

We welcome applicants who are committed to protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals and delivering compassionate, high‑quality client care.

• 25 days holidays as standard plus bank holidays - You can ‘buy’ up to 35hrs of extra holiday too.
• Generous and flexible pension schemes.
• Volunteering days – Two days of volunteering every year for a cause of your choice (fully paid)
• Westfield Health membership, offering refunds on medical services alongside our Aviva Digital GP services.

We also offer a wide range of well-being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace and to make sure you’re fully supported.  This includes our Flexible by Choice programme which gives our colleagues more choice over a hybrid way of working subject to role, team and client requirements.

We have been ranked in the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing for Large Organisations for 2024!

Our responsible business programmes are fundamental to who we are and our purpose. We’re committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where our colleagues can flourish, and we have established a number of inclusion network groups across our business to support this aim. 

Our commitment to Social Responsibility, community investment activity and tackling climate change is a fundamental part of who we are. It’s made up of four strands: Our People, Our Community, Our Environment and Our Pro Bono.

As part of the Irwin Mitchell Group’s on-boarding process all successful applicants are required to complete the group’s employment screening process. This process helps to ensure that all new employees meet our standards in relation to honesty and integrity therefore protecting the interests of the Group, colleagues, clients, partners and other stakeholders.

We carry out pre employment screening to establish your eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record and financial checks ­with our trusted 3rd parties.

The employment screening process will fully comply with Data Protection and other applicable laws.

Irwin Mitchell LLP is an equal opportunity employer.