Will Whitaker > Bindmans LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Bindmans LLP
236 GRAY'S INN ROAD
LONDON
WC1X 8HB
England

Living Wage

Work Department

Public Law and Human Rights.

Position

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.

Career

Will completed his training as a solicitor with Bindmans LLP in March 2017.

Education

Will gained a first class degree in Philosophy from the University of Manchester in 2011. He then completed his Graduate Diploma in 2012, and his LPC in May 2013 at the University of Law.

Lawyer Rankings

London > Public sector > Healthcare

With ‘excellent strength in depth‘, the team at Bindmans LLP predominantly represents individuals in inquests and cases involving mental health, safeguarding and palliative care issues. Practice head Laura Hobey-Hamsher is a ‘first-class lawyer‘ who is well known for acting in Court of Protection cases concerning the medical treatment, health, and welfare of individuals under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Children Act 1989. Will Whitaker exhibits ‘excellent judgment‘ when handling the full gamut of human rights issues, with particular emphasis given to health and welfare. Praised for her ‘eye for detail‘, mental health expert Elizabeth Cleaver primarily represents individuals in health and social care matters, including challenges against policies and decisions. Basmah Sahib regularly appears before the Mental Health Tribunal, and handles judicial review challenges concerning policy.

London > Private client > Court of protection

(Rising stars)

Will WhitakerBindmans LLP

The ‘excellent’ and ‘well-respected’ team at Bindmans LLP has ‘solicitors who pay a great attention to detail to get the best results for their clients’. Led by Laura Hobey-Hamsher, the thriving practice continues to act in both contentious and non-contentious matters for many vulnerable adults and their families. In addition, it receives a steady flow of instructions from the Official Solicitor, Independent Mental Capacity Advocates, NGOs, charities, and other members of the legal profession and judiciary. The group is well-placed to handle issues as diverse as medical treatment cases, cross-border matters, and health and welfare issues. In addition, it is skilled at advising on property and financial affairs matters for wealthy individuals. Karen May is a Law Society Accredited Legal Representative in relation to welfare cases. At associate level, Will Whitaker, is well-regarded.