Court of Protection: Health & Welfare
UK Bar Guide 2025 : All Circuits
Band 3
About
Provided by Outer Temple Chambers
Outer Temple Chambers has one of the leading teams of specialist barristers in the Court of Protection. The team covers the full range of mental capacity work across all pathways of the Court of Protection. We are regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor, NHS Trusts, local authorities and direct access clients.
We are frequently instructed in complex, high-profile and substantial Health & Welfare disputes, advising a wide range of clients, from public bodies to family members. Members of the team have covered cases concerning sterilisation, serious medical treatment and capacity concerning sexual relations, as well as, human rights, local government and education law. We also offer recognised expertise in community care / social welfare law affecting children/ young people, and public law duties around health, social care and education.
Members have significant expertise in the Mental Health Act 1983, including experience of “end of life” cases.
Given our global footprint, our work often has a significant international flavour. Members of the Court of Protection team have experience of advising overseas territories and crown dependencies, and our cases frequently involve complex conflict of law and jurisdiction issues, such as cross-border mental capacity cases.
The team includes members of the Court of Protection Bar Association, the STEP mental capacity steering group, Court of Protection Practitioners’ Association and the Chancery Bar Association.
Chambers Review
Outer Temple Chambers is a highly regarded set for Court of Protection matters, with noted expertise in cases concerning the health and welfare of vulnerable individuals. The team's expertise covers serious medical treatment and end-of-life matters, as well as cases concerning capacity to consent to sexual relations, sterilisation and deprivation of liberty. Members have experience acting on behalf of local authorities and public bodies, as well as protected parties and the Official Solicitor. The set also houses strength in the handling of property and affairs disputes.
Paul Barton is the practice director.
Notable Practitioners
John McKendrick KC specialises in public and commercial work, and has significant Court of Protection expertise across a wide range of health and welfare matters. He is highly rated by his peers for his persuasive courtroom presence and incisive legal mind. He is adept at handling cases involving capacity for sexual relations and sterilisation.
"John has a very easy style in which he is able to break difficult issues down both to analyse and present them concisely."
"His technical knowledge, procedurally and legally, is superb. He is able to navigate novel or unusual issues with ease."
Alex Cisneros has a recognised expertise in cases concerning mental capacity. He regularly acts for vulnerable individuals through the Official Solicitor.
"Alex turns work around at lightning speed."
"Alex produces very good quality work and is very good on his feet."
Ranked Barristers at
Outer Temple Chambers
Silks (KC)
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Juniors
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Members
Provided by Outer Temple Chambers
Courtney Step-Marsden
Katarina Sydow
Monique Bouffe
Head of Department
