Provided by Weightmans
We have a national reputation as experts in the field of mental health law acting for numerous mental health NHS trusts and a significant number of private sector psychiatric providers across the country. We have specialist mental health offender care expertise, advising several medium and high security institutions and regularly conduct advocacy in jury prison inquests. Our work includes operation of the Mental Health Act, mental capacity law and safeguards including Court of Protection proceedings and issues regarding consent and we regularly advise on policy and provide representation at tribunals and inquests. Our clients work in a challenging environment and are subject to a complex set of laws and regulations. They rely on our highly responsive lawyers for expert and clear advice and representation on difficult legal and practical issues relating to the treatment and detention of the mentally ill, whether in high, medium or low security hospitals or living in the community. We work closely with the clinical teams within our client organisations and understand the challenges which they face and the reputational issues for providers. Often this specialist advice is needed outside office hours, for which we offer a 24-hour helpline. We also keep our clients up-to-date with legal developments through our monthly mental health law briefings, lectures, seminars and annual mental health law conference, We also provide training specific to our client’s needs.
Provided by Chambers
Provided by Chambers
Weightmans consistently delivers a high level of service and demonstrates excellent responsiveness. Its team is approachable, reliable and quick to engage in complex issues.
Weightmans has always been personable, straight talking and practical in its guidance.
What sets this department apart is the calibre of its legal professionals. Its solicitors are excellent, highly detailed and thorough, and the barristers are always exceptional.
They're always practical in how they handle very complex legal matters, which provides great reassurance.
The team has excellent knowledge and experience in the sector as well as good links with public bodies, counsel and other stakeholders, which assists with collaborative working.
Weightmans consistently delivers a high level of service and demonstrates excellent responsiveness. Its team is approachable, reliable and quick to engage in complex issues.
Weightmans has always been personable, straight talking and practical in its guidance.
What sets this department apart is the calibre of its legal professionals. Its solicitors are excellent, highly detailed and thorough, and the barristers are always exceptional.
They're always practical in how they handle very complex legal matters, which provides great reassurance.
The team has excellent knowledge and experience in the sector as well as good links with public bodies, counsel and other stakeholders, which assists with collaborative working.
Provided by Chambers
Ben Troke advises healthcare providers on treatment plans and the discharging of patients, often involving issues of capacity and deprivation of liberty. He is particularly commended for his expertise in matters regarding the Court of Protection.
His knowledge of deprivation of liberty matters is extensive.
He is a very technical and knowledgeable lawyer.
He is excellent.
Ben is an outstanding lawyer. He gives instructions in an understandable way and gets the job done.
Ben has encyclopedic knowledge and will give you a response to something almost immediately.
Principal associate Simon Cheverst is noted for his experience in community care and capacity law, and advises both public and private providers.He often advises clients on regulatory matters and inquest proceedings.
Simon's detailed and superb advice has proven to be enormously helpful.
Provided by Weightmans
Alexandra Johnstone
Ben Toke
David Birch
Jill Weston
Julia Appleton
Head of Department
Marianne Frall
Morris Hill
Sarah Knight
Simon Cheverst
Provided by Weightmans
Numerous mental health and acute NHS Trusts
Significant number of private sector psychiatric providers
Provided by Weightmans
Consent to treatment
Court of Protection proceedings
Human Rights Act
Information Governance
Judicial reviews
Mental Capacity Act
Mental Health Act
Offender Care
Policy review and preparation
Pre Inquest hearings and Inquests
Representation at hearings
Reputational management advice
Safeguarding
Serious Incident Investigations