Court of Protection: Health & Welfare

Alexander Ruck Keene is noted in the market for his academic excellence in the Court of Protection field. Peers consistently recognise his dedication to the area, citing his writing and involvement in the law as indications of his pre-eminence. He edits and contributes to a number of leading publications dealing with the area, while also maintaining an enviable practice.

"Alexander Ruck Keene has established himself as the thinking head of this area; he is excellent."

"Alexander is absolutely a star; he knows the Court of Protection inside-out."

Ian Brownhill is a highly regarded prison law barrister who has cultivated a strong reputation in the Court of Protection for his handling of cases involving incarcerated and incapacitated individuals. He is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor, family members, NHS bodies and local authorities.

"Ian is a very competent advocate. He grapples with complex issues with ease and is very persuasive on his feet."

"Ian fights tooth and nail for his client and provides very sensible, holistic advice."

"His excellent knowledge, both practical and academic, sets him apart."

Jenni Richards KC is a standout silk who acts on behalf of public bodies and individuals. She is also regularly instructed to act on behalf of public interest groups in cases covering all issues relating to public law. She is particularly adept at handling high-profile and complex cases under the Mental Capacity Act, many of which involve difficult issues regarding medical treatment, deprivation of liberty and capacity.

"Jenni is outstanding and incredibly helpful."

Katharine Scott is instructed by a wide client base that includes local authorities, clinical commissioning groups, the Official Solicitor and others. She is particularly experienced in disputes that arise out of best-interest decisions, with a specific focus on matters involving health and welfare, although she does also practise in the related field of property and affairs. Her expertise spans matters arising under the Mental Capacity Act and the High Court's inherent jurisdiction.

"Katie is brilliant. To the point, receptive and proactive, she is kind to clients and strong in the courtroom."

Peter Mant is acknowledged as an expert in the field of health and welfare, and is particularly proficient at handling cases on the overlap between the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act. He also regularly deals with deprivation of liberty matters. His expertise encompasses disputes concerning end-of-life care, childbirth and forced contraception.

"Peter provides excellent written work because of his strong attention to detail and sharp mind."

Victoria Butler-Cole KC is an impressive silk who represents a broad range of clients, including family members, health authorities, local authorities and the Official Solicitor. She is a top choice for a range of cases, including those relating to welfare, capacity and medical treatment disputes. She has been involved in a number of the leading cases concerning the application of Article 5 as well as those concerning the international jurisdiction of the Court of Protection.She regularly acts in cases concerning end-of-life treatment.

"Victoria is a go-to counsel on all things health and welfare in the Court of Protection. She is able to cut through complex issues to give straightforward and practical advice."

"Victoria is always kind and respectful of clients whilst providing excellent advice. She is clearly and deservedly well respected by all in the Court of Protection sphere."

"Victoria is so bright and amazing to work with. All sides like her and she is an exceptionally impressive advocate."

"Her knowledge is above and beyond anything. She is an outstanding barrister who is academically minded and pragmatic."

Vikram Sachdeva KC is particularly adept at handling medical treatment cases due to his clinical background, which gives him an excellent understanding of the complex health issues involved. He has been involved in numerous high-profile and heavily scrutinised cases in the Court of Protection. He is known for his work in cases concerning mental health, medical ethics and end-of-life care cases.

"Vikram is extremely reassuring and proactive. He is an extremely safe pair of hands once in court."

"Vikram is very passionate and quick-thinking, with an element of genius about him."

Adam Fullwood has a broad practice that encompasses mental capacity, social housing, and health and social care cases. He is highly regarded for his work for a broad range of clients, and regularly acts for private care providers, patients, service users and private litigants. He is appointed to the Attorney General's Regional Panel and acts for both claimants and defendants in various courts from the Court of Appeal to the Upper Tribunal.He also is an assistant coroner.

"Adam's advocacy is good - he makes his points clearly and succinctly."

"Adam is very good. He definitely knows his stuff and is quite forthright in representing his client. Judges respect him."

Alexis Hearnden handles Court of Protection matters as a natural extension of her work in community care and mental health. She is adept at handling a range of cases, including those concerning deprivation of liberty, forced marriage and the relationship between the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act.Her expertise also includes advising on professional discipline matters within the healthcare sector.

"Alexis is a real pleasure to work with: she is a responsive and clever advocate, and has fantastic client care skills."

"Alexis is very personable with solicitors but also excellent with clients and she has excellent command of the relevant law."

"She is really down to earth, but not one to underestimate, because she is very knowledgeable but also pragmatic."

Eliza Sharron is experienced across a range of cases, including those relating to best-interest decisions and deprivation of liberty. She receives instructions from a broad client base that includes family members, local authorities and individuals who lack capacity.

"Eliza is extremely meticulous in her preparation. She is very organised and responsive, provides excellent drafting and excellent cross-examination of experts."

"Eliza always provides reliable advice on any complex matter, understanding the client's particular needs and providing in-depth analysis of legal issues."

"Eliza is fairly formidable in the courtroom and unwavering in her approach."

Fenella Morris KC is a highly regarded silk who has a broad practice that encompasses Court of Protection as well as health and community care matters. She is also increasingly involved in cases which involve disputes over property and financial affairs. She is an expert on capacity to consent to marriage and sexual relations, as well as on matters that concern urgent medical treatment and deprivation of liberty. Hers is a broad client base, ranging from individuals to NHS and private healthcare bodies.

"Fenella has an impressive legal brain and knows how to perfectly pitch it to the court."

"Fenella is very clear in her communication, very available and supportive to work with."

Francesca Gardner is adept at handling the full range of Court of Protection matters, including serious medical treatment cases and welfare disputes. Her instructions come from a broad range of clients, including the Official Solicitor, private individuals and an array of public sector bodies.

"Francesca would always be my first choice in any Court of Protection case. She’s excellent."

"Francesca is our go-to counsel in complicated cases with many moving factors. She is incredibly reliable, knowledgeable and has a well-placed confidence and grace about her in the courtroom."

Mungo Wenban-Smith focuses on cases concerning mental capacity, mental health and medical treatment. He receives instructionsfrom clients such as local authorities, NHS bodies and individuals. He regularly acts in cases concerning serious medical treatment of both adults and children.

"Mungo is extremely comfortable in the court of protection. He has a high level of knowledge and is very reassuring."

Neil Allen excels at Court of Protection work that involves deprivation of liberty and other human rights issues. He alsohas extensive expertisein the use of the Mental Health Act 1983.

"Neil's ability and research is really unrivalled; he is fantastic in presenting an idea to people."

Nicola Kohn focuses her practice on the handling of health and welfare matters, and is regularly called on to represent her clients in cases concerning capacity and sex. She acts for the Official Solicitor, as well as several local authorities, NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups.

"Nicola is a good, clear advocate."

"Nicola responds very quickly and provides excellent but always caring advice to the client."

Parishil Patel KC is a skilled practitioner who acts for a broad range of clients such as public bodies, family members and the Official Solicitor. He is particularly good at medical treatment disputes and is instructed in cases involving a crossover of both welfare and property matters on behalf of all parties.

"Parishil is really pragmatic; a good, sensible presence to have on a case."

"He is a constructive opponent who is very calm, measured and sensible, with a good tactical head."

Annabel Lee is adept at handling a wide range of Court of Protection matters and hasparticular expertise in complex cross-border cases concerning the international protection of vulnerable adults. Her experience covers health and welfare matters such as care, contact, sexual relations and serious medical treatment.

"Annabel is very collegiate and provides detailed and high-quality advice. She is very good to work with."

Arianna Kelly is a talented public law junior who regularly appears in the Court of Protection in cases concerning mental health, residence and welfare. She offers expertise in matters concerning deprivation of liberty.

"Arianna is just superb. Her advocacy is engaging and thorough and her drafting is excellent and to the point."

Catherine Dobson is increasingly well known in the market for her work handling welfare and medical treatment disputes. She acts for a broad range of clients including NHS trusts, clinical commissioning groups and families, in a range of matters including cases concerningbest-interestdecisions. She is also well known for providing training and seminars on the Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act.

"Catherine is extremely clever."

Fiona Paterson KC is noted for her work handling cases concerning serious medical treatment and welfare decisions, and has appeared in in three of the four Supreme Court appeals concerning the Mental Capacity Act 2005. She acts on behalf of a range of clients including families, the Official Solicitor and NHS trusts. She spent eight years as a solicitor in Scotland practising medical law, and as a result has expertise beyond her year of call.

"Fiona Paterson is clear in her communication, very easy to get on with and excellent at working with clinicians. She is also a very fine advocate."

"An excellent barrister, who is very well regarded by the judiciary. She is very experienced and great at cutting through issues in order to get positive outcomes for clients"

Jack Anderson is a well-regarded junior barrister who is regularly instructed in complex safeguarding and medical treatment cases, including those involving abortions, end-of-life treatment and invasive contraception. He has experience acting for both vulnerable individuals and local authorities.

"Jack is very clever and diligent."

Sian Davies is a notable junior with established expertise in health and welfare matters. She is experienced in the handling of cases involving asylum seekers and trafficked individuals.

"Sian is responsive, thoughtful, efficient and effective. She has a broad knowledge base."

"Sian Davies is very approachable and pragmatic, with an ability to see the wider strategic points."

Stephanie David is a highly regarded up-and-coming barrister with a solid Court of Protection practice focused on health and welfare cases. Her expertise covers a wide range of issues including matters of catastrophic injury, care and residence proceedings for children and issues of capacity. She has in-depth knowledge of Mental Capacity Act proceedings.

"Stephanie gets down to the detail and is very quick to pick up issues and discuss key issues with the client."