Laura Hobey-Hamsher

Partner, Public Law and Human Rights.

For well over a decade, Laura has been known for her contentious and non-contentious work acting for, and advising in, cases concerning individuals made vulnerable because of a lack of mental capacity, physical ill health, or mental ill health.

Laura's work encompasses numerous other specialist areas, including cases brought under – or concerning – the Children Act 1989, the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court, the Care Act 2014, the Mental Health Act 1983, and professional and regulatory frameworks.

In her broad practice, Laura regularly advises private individuals, the Official Solicitor, and charitable and commercial organisations, in national and cross-border disputes, amongst others. She is regularly invited to speak at seminars and conferences, and has provided advice and training to legal, medical, and social work professionals, as well as NGOs, charities, and campaigning organisations.

Laura has acted in many high profile and significant Court of Protection cases, many of which have featured in both the national and international media. Known equally however for her sensitive and discreet approach, over the years, many well-known individuals and household names have benefited from Laura’s renowned ability to ensure that their cases are kept out of the public domain.

Laura qualified in 2008, before joining Fisher Meredith LLP in 2010. She joined Bindmans LLP in 2014.

Laura’s reported cases of legal note include:

2022

S v Birmingham Women’s And Children’s NHS Trust [2022] EWCOP 10

2021

T & Anor v L & Ors (Inherent Jurisdiction : Costs) [2021] EWHC 2147 (Fam)

2020

The Health Service Executive of Ireland v IM & Anor (Rev 1) [2020] EWCOP 51

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust v AB [2020] EWCOP 40

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust v MX & Ors [2020] EWHC 1958 (Fam)

VE v AO & Others [2020] EWCOP 23

London Borough of Tower Hamlets v A & Anor [2020] EWCOP 21

QD (Habitual Residence) (No.2) [2020] EWCOP 14

2019

Southend-On-Sea Borough Council v Meyers [2019] EWHC 399 (Fam)

QD (Jurisdiction: Habitual Residence) [2019] EWCOP 56

JK v A Local Health Board [2019] EWHC 67 (Fam)

Re AB (Termination) [2019] EWCA Civ 1215

An NHS Foundation Trust v AB & Ors [2019] EWCOP 26

Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v TG & Anor [2019] EWCOP 21

2018

A Local Authority v BF [2018] EWCA Civ 2962

2017

DA v DJ [2017] EWHC 3904 (Fam)

2016

V v Associated Newspapers Ltd & Others [2016] EWCOP 21

V v Associated Newspapers Ltd & Ors [2016] EWCOP 21

The London Borough of Southwark v KA (Capacity to Marry) [2016] EWHC 661 (Fam)

2015

V v Associated Newspapers Ltd & Ors [2015] EWCOP 88

V (Out of Hours: Reporting Restriction Order), Re (Rev 1) [2015] EWCOP 83

Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust v C & Anor [2015] EWCOP 80

MASM v MMAM & Ors (Rev 1) [2015] EWCOP 3

2014

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets v TB & Anor (Rev 1) [2014] EWCOP 53

LBX v TT & Others [2014] EWCOP 24

2012

Re SK [2012] EWHC 1990

Laura is an accredited member of the Law Society’s Mental Capacity (Welfare) Accreditation Scheme