Court of protection

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Julia Abrey
Hall of fameWithers LLP
Head of elder law. Partner dealing with probate, succession and post-death tax planning; trust management; elderly client and Court of Protection work. Current holder of the STEP Elderly. Client Law Professional of the Year award.
Yogi Amin
Hall of fameIrwin Mitchell
I am a partner and the national head of public law and human rights at Irwin Mitchell. My expertise is in judicial review, human rights, medical ethics, court of protection welfare and medical cases, equality law and commercial and procurement public law matters. I have over 22 years experience in conducting successful public law cases relating to a wide range of public functions: social services, healthcare, education, civil liberties including inquests and inquiries. I have worked on successful cases that have reached the Supreme Court and developed the law. I am Accredited by the Law Society as a Legal Representative in Court of Protection welfare cases. I advise and litigate in a wide range of public law and civil liberties work, acting for individuals, institutions and businesses. I specialise in the healthcare and community care fields. My team advise on Special Educational Needs appeals and education law including challenges on behalf of children or schools and colleges. I lead a national team of lawyers undertaking public law, health and community care law work. I have a national leading practice in adult welfare/medical treatment proceedings brought by local authorities and health trusts, acting for the Official Solicitor, advocates, families or as Accredited Legal Representative in declaratory High Court or Court of Protection proceedings, involving individuals who may lack capacity to manage their affairs and decide on welfare, residence, contact and healthcare matters themselves.
Julie Burton
Hall of famePenningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Partner specialising in Court of Protection, personal injury trusts, elderly law including lasting powers of attorney, tax and care fee planning, wills and estate administration.
Suzanne Marriott
Hall of fameCharles Russell Speechlys LLP
Suzanne specialises in cross-border and UK tax planning, wills, trusts, contentious trusts and probates, Inheritance Act claims, estate and succession planning, international wills and trusts, non-domiciliaries, mental incapacity and Court of Protection work, heritage property, art, landed estates and charitable trusts. She acts as trustee, executor, deputy, attorney and charitable trustee for many well known clients and is often appointed by the court in these roles where there are disputes. Suzanne is a notary public practising in the City of London.
Stephen Richards
Hall of fameWithers LLP
Partner. Stephen heads the trust and succession disputes team at Withersworldwide.  He advises a range of clients (individuals, beneficiaries, trustees, fiduciaries, executors and charities) in relation to trust, succession, inheritance and Court of Protection disputes and investigations by the Office of the Public Guardian.  The majority of Stephen's cases involve cross-border issues as highlighted by Re MN, the first reported Court of Protection cross-border welfare dispute.  Stephen advised in the long running litigation concerning the estate of the Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky. He regularly advises on bringing and defending claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Families & Dependants) Act 1975 and challenging/defending wills alongside other succession disputes.  Stephen also advises international, national and local charities/not for profit organisations on defending their legacy income.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Simon Hardy
Kingsley Napley LLP
Simon is the Head of the Court of Protection team and he has specialised in the property and financial affairs jurisdiction of the Court for over 15 years. His main role is as a professional Deputy but he also advises on all types of Court of Protection cases with a particular interest in complex cerebral palsy and brain injury cases and (often contested) statutory will or gift applications. He also specialises in the creation and administration of Personal Injury trusts and acting as a professional Trustee. He has many years’ experience of working alongside and supporting litigation lawyers in medical negligence and personal injury cases, including the preparation of expert witness statements in support when necessary.
Paul Hewitt
Hall of fameWithers LLP
Partner. Paul specialises in domestic and international trust and succession disputes. Described as a ‘star litigator’ and ‘a formidable opponent’, Paul represented His Exalted Highness VIII Nizam of Hyderabad in litigation with India and Pakistan, successfully securing funds held by NatWest since 1948.   Recent 1975 Act successes include Bhusate v Patel, Thakare v Patel on appeal, (widow permitted to bring claim 25 years out of time), Cowan v Foreman in the Court of Appeal, and Wells v Chorus Law (neighbour prevented from bringing claim as 'child as deceased'). Paul also advises on contentious Court of Protection matters, both financial, and health and welfare (including the leading decision Re MN on cross border welfare). Other high profile cases include acting for the trustees in the Hastings Bass matter of Futter v Futter applying to set aside the result of incorrect tax advice, and in Hodkin v Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, both of which went to the Supreme Court, and for the successful claimants in the Court of Appeal probate dispute Hawes v Burgess.
Laura Hobey-Hamsher
Bindmans LLP
Partner, Public Law and Human Rights. Laura is particularly well known for her work in personal welfare matters, including where there is a deprivation of liberty, and issues relating to an individual’s capacity to marry, and/or capacity to consent to sexual relations. She is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor, advocates and family members in both the Court of Protection and the High Court, often in cases where there have been allegations of physical and/or sexual abuse. Laura has also earned a reputation for acting for families in serious medical treatment cases, regarding both the provision and withdrawal of treatment. She has extensive experience of cases encompassing property and affairs, the role of the media, civil claims, and considering the interplay between the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Court of Protection, and competing jurisdictions. She has a growing practice acting for families in inquests into the deaths of psychiatric patients.
Alexandra Knipe
Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP
Joint head of Court of Protection Department and Partner in the firm.  Alexandra specialises in supporting clients who have sustained injuries through accidents, clinical negligence or mismanagement at birth.  She is well known for her international client following, having dealt with Deputyship and trust matters in various jurisdictions, including the PRC and Hong-Kong.  Alexandra supports many European clients, with on-going client links in Poland, France, Italy and Switzerland.
Francis Lyons
Capsticks LLP
Francis is a partner in our Public Law team and he advises on legal issues arising from the commissioning, planning and delivery of health and social care.  He leads the firm’s 24-hour emergency legal helpline as well as our mental health and Court of Protection work, frequently advising on detention and deprivation of liberty as well as best interests, treatment and safeguarding issues.  Francis is recognised as an expert in mental health and mental capacity law.  His recent MHA cases include ‘Munjaz’, in which the European Court described the seclusion policy he advised on as “exemplary” when allowing a departure from the Code of Practice, and the ‘Haines’ matter in which Francis represented Broadmoor Hospital in the first ever reported public tribunal hearing. His advice on the unlawful delegation of the Secretary of State’s s.12 MHA approval functions to an FT, resulted in emergency legislation in 2013.  Francis has worked on secondment with a local authority, and as a member of a Foundation Trust Board’s MHA committee. In addition, Francis provides advice for emergency services clients. In addition to the support he provides to clients on policy development and decision making, Francis also advises on judicial review challenges, complaints, incident handling and the disclosure of information.   Francis is ranked as leading solicitor in independent legal directories. Chambers states “He knows his stuff and is sensible and also pragmatic. A pleasure to work with” and the Legal 500 says Francis “is able to focus on the legal issues without getting bogged down in the emotional issues which are invariably involved”.
Ruth Meyer
Boyes Turner
Ruth is the head of the highly regarded Court of Protection team at Boyes Turner and a professional deputy and trustee. Her outstanding service extends from giving expert witness evidence, to advising on and setting up Court of Protection deputyship or trusteeship, project managing and auditing essential capital expenditure, coordinating care and providing liaison, negotiation, advocacy and intermediary services with the courts, government agencies, financial advisors and other professional bodies. In her capacity as Court of Protection deputy or trustee Ruth provides a professional yet ‘bespoke’ approach to the individual needs of each client. Ruth combines her highly professional and astute management of her clients’ best interests with an approachable, down-to-earth and compassionate manner with her clients, many of whom regard her as a trusted family advisor and friend.
Anne Minihane
Clarke Willmott LLP
Anne Minihane is a partner in Clarke Willmott solicitors’ Bristol Private Capital team and a panel Deputy for the Court of Protection.
Ryan Mowat
Kingsley Napley LLP
Ryan is a Partner in Kingsley Napley's Dispute Resolution team, where he leads the highly rated Contentious Trusts and Probate team. He frequently acts in high value and complex litigation, particularly involving trusts and estates. Ryan’s cases often involve allegations of fraud and serious wrongdoing and many of his clients have a public profile. He has enjoyed notable successes in the Supreme Court in the cases of Ivey v Genting Casinos (2017) and Crown Prosecution Service v Aquila Advisory (2021). Ryan also acts in disputes in the Court of Protection and many of his cases are multi-jurisdictional.
David Wedgwood
Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP
Partner specialising in commercial litigation, including contentious trusts and probate, inheritance act claims, professional negligence, private client litigation, financial and welfare and property and affairs deputyships, contentious property and affairs deputyships, contentious Court of Protection proceedings and civil and commercial fraud.
Christine Bunting
Hyphen Law
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Natasha Molloy
Freeths LLP
Partner and Head of Court of Protection (Nottingham) Natasha is a highly experienced professional deputy who has acted for hundreds of clients who lack capacity to manage their own property and affairs. She deals with all types of cases but primarily specialises in acquired brain injury, representing both adults and children who lack capacity as a result of personal injury or clinical negligence. Her clients also include those with mental health issues, learning difficulties and birth injuries.
Anna Moore
Leigh Day
Anna acts for individuals in matters across the health and community care sector and has experience in dealing with cases involving mental health, mental capacity, community care and public law. Anna has a particular interest in acting for people who lack capacity in proceedings in front of the Court of Protection. She is often instructed in complex matters involving important issues going to the heart of a person’s life, for example whether someone should have medical treatment, be deprived of their liberty and be able to enter into sexual relationships with others. Anna is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor as well as family members. Anna specialises in cases involving children and vulnerable adults. She is an Accredited Legal Representative authorised to represent adults who lack capacity directly in cases in the Court of Protection. Anna represents family members in inquest proceedings and has particular expertise in acting in cases involving the deaths of children or individuals who receiving treatment for mental health issues. Anna is regularly instructed in complex matters involving a number of state bodies. Anna also acts in claims for compensation arising from deaths where the state is involved. Complementing her expertise in acting for children and adults who cannot make decisions for themselves, Anna also has expertise in bringing claims under the Human Rights Act. Anna seeks redress for children who have not been safeguarded appropriately by authorities and were subject to neglect and abuse. She also acts for people who have been unlawfully deprived of their liberty in care homes and hospitals.
Natasha Stourton
Withers LLP
Senior Associate. Natasha advises on a wide range of trust and succession disputes both onshore and offshore, including trustee/beneficiary disputes, contested probate and 1975 Act claims, and professional negligence in the context of estate planning and trust administration.  She also advises on Court of Protection matters, including statutory wills, lifetime gifts, contested registrations and Powers of Attorney.
Emma Tante
Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP
Emma is a Solicitor and Partner at the firm predominately specialises in providing Court of Protection litigation support to leading personal injury and clinical negligence litigators including drafting of expert evidence for High Court Proceedings. Emma manages complex and high value compensation awards for individuals who have suffered complex injuries and who are based both in the UK and internationally. Emma deals both with Deputyship management and Personal Injury Trusts and has experience in dealing with both contentious and non-contentious Court of Protection work.
Daniel Toop
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
A partner in the private client team at Penningtons Manches Cooper, Daniel mainly supports those who have suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of medical negligence or personal injury and have been awarded substantial compensation to meet their future needs. With a particular interest in acquired brain injury, Daniel advises on a broad range of Court of Protection and personal injury trust issues for both professional and lay deputies and trustees. His area of specialism is working with and supporting the litigation process, both in clinical negligence and personal injury claims. This knowledge is essential in ensuring that the compensation, which can take many years to secure, is properly protected and managed, either through a personal injury trust or a deputyship.
Alexander Wright
Boyes Turner
Alexander is a Partner and professional deputy for property and affairs and works principally with clients who have suffered injuries at birth with lifelong care needs and multi-million pound settlements. His focus is managing files with complex and volatile family dynamics, matters with complicated financial arrangements, and statutory will applications. Alexander leads the litigation support service line in the team, preparing expert reports and witness statements on deputyship and private trust costs in litigation, receiving instructions from multiple other law firms. Alexander was a director of the Professional Deputies Forum from 2019 to 2023 and played a leading role in the case of PLK & Ors [2020] EWHC B28 (Costs), as a Deputy for PLK. Alexander was Chair of the Professional Deputies Forum in 2023.
Rebecca Bristow
Rothley Law
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Elizabeth Cleaver
Bindmans LLP
Solicitor, Public Law and Human Rights Elizabeth’s areas of practice include mental health, Court of Protection, and inquests. She obtained higher rights of audience in 2016 and regularly conducts her own advocacy before tribunals and the Court of Protection. Elizabeth has extensive experience of representing vulnerable adults and their families. Her practice has included welfare matters, as well as cases involving deprivation of liberty and property and affairs. Elizabeth is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor to represent protected parties. As an Accredited Legal Representative, she is also appointed to act for vulnerable adults directly in welfare cases before the Court of Protection. Elizabeth has in-depth experience of representing those detained under the Mental Health Act at all levels of security. She has a particular interest in forensic cases, and is regularly instructed by those detained under forensic sections, including in high profile matters. Elizabeth seeks to develop long-term relationships with clients and is known for her attention to detail and her persistence in obtaining evidence in support of her clients’ discharge. Besides representing mental health patients themselves, Elizabeth has advised parents, spouses, partners and other family members on their relatives’ rights when detained under the act or voluntarily admitted for care. Elizabeth has acted for patients in civil matters involving unlawful detention and displacement of nearest relatives, and has advised on aftercare issues (such as the adequacy of services offered under section 117 of the Mental Health Act). She is developing a practice in inquests, where her mental health experience is particularly valued in cases involving the death of psychiatric patients. Elizabeth regularly delivers training to lawyers and other professionals on mental health law and the Mental Capacity Act. She also assists in delivering the Mental Health Panel course run by the Mental Health Lawyers Association for prospective members of the Law Society’s Mental Health Accreditation Scheme.  
Alice Tomlin
Withers LLP
Alice acts for charities, private individuals and institutions in relation to all aspects of contentious trust and succession disputes, with a particular focus on Court of Protection matters. She advises on a range of issues that come within the Court of Protection’s jurisdiction, including statutory will applications, lifetime gifts and matters concerning the operation of attorneyships and deputyships. She is an active member of the elder law team. She also advises on all aspects of the validity of wills, including claims of undue influence to disputed capacity, and actions brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and issues of construction and rectification.
Will Whitaker
Bindmans LLP
Associate, Public Law and Human Rights Will has represented a large number of vulnerable individuals and their family members in the Court of Protection. He is adept at advancing the interests of his clients, particularly those involved in disputes regarding health and social care. He has successfully guided many individuals through proceedings dealing with a range of issues relating to mental capacity, deprivations of liberty, provision of care, and medical treatment. He has obtained redress for clients bringing civil claims related to Court of Protection proceedings, often under the Human Rights Act. He will bring claims for judicial review where needed to protect the rights of his clients or their family members, and ensure they are provided with the standard of care that they are entitled to. Will also acts in inquests for families who have lost loved ones in difficult circumstances. He regularly deals with large multi-party actions in the Court of Protection, in public law settings, and in other jurisdictions, and is currently representing a number of residents and survivors of the Grenfell Tower Fire in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Will has significant experience of helping people who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes. He often defends those faced with possession proceedings, makes claims for unlawful eviction, and challenges homelessness decisions. Will often works with vulnerable individuals in this context, and has expertise in managing cases which involve a crossover between housing and the Court of Protection. Will also works with asylum seekers and other migrants to get them access to support and housing, and has frequently battled to safeguard the interests of people who have suffered domestic abuse in relation to their housing. He also represents clients in relation to other issues involving civil liberties and public law. He has helped those defending civil proceedings brought against them relating to protest, individuals who have been subjected to discrimination, and members of the public who have had wide-ranging problems with local government. Will has a developing practice in advising charities and third sector organisations in relation to a wide range of legal issues, including where disputes have arisen by those running the charity. He has steered charities through court proceedings and mediation in the past.

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