Hugh Jones Solicitors

Based in Manchester, this practice is the largest independent, specialist Court of Protection and mental capacity practice in the UK and a nationally recognised leader in the field.

Services include professional deputyships, Court of Protection applications, welfare advice, judicial review, expert witness work and consultancy - clients are based across the UK and are often referred cases by the Court where the previous deputy (including other solicitors) have been removed and an investigation is needed in the former deputy’s management of clients’ property and finances.

The ethos of the firm is caring and compassionate, and it is committed to providing first-class and cost-effective services to all its clients.

2023 marked our 10-year anniversary and a decade of exciting achievements. Led by the vision of our founder, Hugh Jones, in 2024 we have grown to a team of 80 all specialising in Court of Protection and Private Client work.

As a leading specialist Court of Protection and Private Client firm, we regularly win awards:

·British Wills and Probate Awards - 2024. Winner, Boutique Private Client Firm and Highly Commended, Court of Protection team

·Shortlisted 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 British Wills and Probate Awards , National and Regional firm of the year for the work of the Court of Protection team – winners or highly commended in 2 out of last 3 years.

·Winner – Medium law firm of the year, Manchester Legal Awards 2021

·Winner -Private Client team of the year and Highly Commended Small law firm of the year, Manchester Legal Awards 2020.

·STEP Annual Private Client awards - Hugh Jones -lifetime achievement award 2019; shortlisted Vulnerable Client Advisory Practice, 2024.

We are referred work by:

• QCs and the judiciary
• OPG Panel
• Non-specialist solicitor firms
• Local Authorities
• Charities

The firm understands and adapts to the special challenges faced by disabled and vulnerable clients, particularly those with impaired mental capacity, their families and advisers.

As a panel deputy, Hugh Jones accepts many complex cases, including pro bono matters and work referred by the Court of Protection, selecting Hugh for his specific expertise, even on cases out of his immediate area. The Court of Protection team, headed

Chris Gallagher, Head of the Court of Protection team, specialises in financial professional deputyship work, as well as stand-alone applications including financial abuse investigations, contentious matters, those with an international element and judicial review work, advising on local authorities’ duty to fund.

Hugh Jones, Liz Hughes, Jill Rushton and Catherine (Oakes) Eassom are all in demand as expert witnesses in serious injury litigation.

Memberships

• Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
• CEDR
• Law Society of England and Wales
• Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE)