Department profile
Weightmans

Mental Health: Providers

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide


Weightmans

Rankings

About

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.

Clients (2)

  • Numerous mental health and acute NHS Trusts
  • Significant number of private sector psychiatric providers

Industries (14)

  • Mental Health Act
  • Mental Capacity Act
  • Human Rights Act
  • Court of Protection proceedings
  • Safeguarding
  • Consent to treatment
  • Pre Inquest hearings and Inquests
  • Offender Care
  • Representation at hearings
  • Judicial reviews
  • Policy review and preparation
  • Serious Incident Investigations
  • Reputational management advice
  • Information Governance

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Mental Health: Providers - UK-wide

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For
Weightmans provides NHS and private providers with rounded mental health law advice pertaining to issues such as deprivation of liberty, capacity and consent. The firm is instructed in a high number of inquests and Court of Protection proceedings. The team is able to offer immediate support in response to crises whenever they should arise.

Strengths

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.

    Mental Health: Providers respondentUK
  • Weightmans has always been personable, straight talking and practical in its guidance.

    Mental Health: Providers respondentUK
  • 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.

    Mental Health: Providers respondentUK
  • They're always practical in how they handle very complex legal matters, which provides great reassurance.

    Mental Health: Providers respondentUK
  • 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.

    Mental Health: Providers respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2Ben Troke
    Band 2Ben Troke

    Ben Troke

    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.

      Mental Health: Providers respondentUK
    • He is a very technical and knowledgeable lawyer.

      Mental Health: Providers respondentUK
    • He is excellent.

      Mental Health: Providers respondentUK
    • Ben is an outstanding lawyer. He gives instructions in an understandable way and gets the job done.

      Mental Health: Providers respondentUK
    • Ben has encyclopedic knowledge and will give you a response to something almost immediately.

      Mental Health: Providers respondentUK
  • Associates to watchSimon Cheverst
    Associates to watchSimon Cheverst

    Simon Cheverst

    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.

      Mental Health: Providers respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at Weightmans (2)

UK-wide

Members

Provided by Weightmans

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