Elizabeth Cleaver > Bindmans LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Elizabeth Cleaver

+44 (0) 20 7833 4433 elizabeth.cleaver@bindmans.com View profile View profile

Work Department

Public Law and Human Rights.

Position

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.

Career

Elizabeth qualified as a solicitor in 2013, and joined Bindmans in 2020.

Languages

Elizabeth is fluent in French

Memberships

Mental Health Lawyers Association committee member

Education

Elizabeth completed the Bar Vocational Course at BPP law school in 2010.