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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Alex Cisneros has a recognised expertise in cases concerning mental capacity. He regularly acts for vulnerable individuals through the Official Solicitor.

Annabel Lee is adept at handling a wide range of Court of Protection matters and has particular 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.