Department profile
St John's Buildings

Court of Protection: Health & Welfare

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits

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St John's Buildings

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Court of Protection: Health & Welfare - All Circuits

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

St John's Buildings houses "a large and well-respected team" within health and welfare proceedings in the Court of Protection. Members are regularly instructed in serious medical treatment matters, including disputes concerning the termination of treatment and the withdrawal of artificial hydration and nutrition, and also offer expertise in deprivation of liberty and capacity to consent to sexual relations cases. The set's broad client base includes the Official Solicitor and families of vulnerable individuals, as well as several local authorities and clinical commissioning groups.

Suzanne Heron is the lead clerk.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Jane Harper, clerk, is responsive, incredibly helpful and proactive: a really lovely person to speak to.

    Court of Protection: Health & Welfare respondentUK Bar

  • The clerking team is very responsive and always happy to assist. The clerks provide a great professional and friendly service and will look for quick solutions for last-minute availability.

    Court of Protection: Health & Welfare respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Joseph O'Brien
    Joseph O'Brien

    Joseph O'Brien

    Joseph O'Brien KC is a well-recognised silk and acts for a broad range of clients including local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and the Official Solicitor. He has a broad practice that encompasses medical, welfare, and property and affairs matters, and is a noted expert in deprivation of liberty cases.

    • He is an excellent advocate.

      Court of Protection: Health & Welfare respondentUK Bar

    • Joseph O'Brien is one of the very top silks in his field. He is fantastic at witness handling, knows the law back to front and his writing is top-drawer.

      Court of Protection: Health & Welfare respondentUK Bar
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  • Jonathan Bellamy
    Jonathan Bellamy

    Jonathan Bellamy

    Jonathan Bellamy is noted for his expert handling of health and welfare cases concerning contact with others, residence and deprivation of liberty. He regularly acts for the Official Solicitor, as well as local authorities and family members.

    • Excellent support and advice in complex and contentious work.

      Court of Protection: Health & Welfare respondentUK Bar
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  • Lorraine Cavanagh
    Lorraine Cavanagh

    Lorraine Cavanagh

    Lorraine Cavanagh KC has expertise in cases concerning medical treatment issues and sexual relations of incapacitated people, particularly involving concurrent matrimonial litigation. She is also experienced in matters relating to the transition from child to adult services.

    • One of the few silks in the country who has expertise in both family and Court of Protection. Having this oversight concerning young people is invaluable.

      Court of Protection: Health & Welfare respondentUK Bar
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  • Lucinda France-Hayhurst
    Lucinda France-Hayhurst

    Lucinda France-Hayhurst

    Lucinda France-Hayhurst is a talented junior barrister who regularly acts for the Official Solicitor in complex cases concerning forced marriage and capacity to consent to sexual relations. She also has experience representing local authorities in judicial reviews and cases concerning ordinary residence.

    • Lucinda is client-focused, committed and helpful. She works incredibly hard.

      Court of Protection: Health & Welfare respondentUK Bar
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  • Eleanor Keehan
    Eleanor Keehan

    Eleanor Keehan

    Eleanor Keehan is a highly sought after Court of Protection practitioner with extensive knowledge of the Mental Health Act. She is very well versed in numerous aspects including deprivation of liberty and care proceedings. She is very adept at acting for local authorities as well as family members and individuals.

    • She is an excellent Court of Protection barrister and has great expertise.

      Court of Protection: Health & Welfare respondentUK Bar

    • She is very good, detailed and thorough.

      Court of Protection: Health & Welfare respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at St John's Buildings (5)

All Circuits

  • Profile image of Joseph O'Brien KC

    Joseph O'Brien KC

    Court of Protection: Health & Welfare

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  • Profile image of Lorraine Cavanagh KC

    Lorraine Cavanagh KC

    Court of Protection: Health & Welfare

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  • Profile image of Jonathan Bellamy

    Jonathan Bellamy

    Court of Protection: Health & Welfare

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  • Profile image of Lucinda France-Hayhurst

    Lucinda France-Hayhurst

    Court of Protection: Health & Welfare

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