JE Bennett Law > Kent, England > Firm Profile
JE Bennett Law Offices
Eridge House
1 Linden Close
Tunbridge Wells
TN4 8HH
England
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JE Bennett Law > The Legal 500 Rankings
Private client > Court of protection Tier 2
Jane Bennett
leads the ‘friendly and attentive’ team at JE Bennett Law, which is praised for ‘keeping things as simple and straightforward as possible when explaining sometimes complicated scenarios’. The dedicated team helps physically and/or mentally vulnerable clients and their families. Their injuries are often acquired as a result of catastrophic accidents, clinical negligence, disease, or dementia. In addition, Bennett’s expert witness practice has continued to grow. Also recommended is Richard Shearing, who now handles in excess of 50 deputyship clients. The ‘very supportive’ Ian Macara is a panel deputy. Jemma Cahan works with clients who have sustained serious brain injuries as a result of catastrophic accidents or birth trauma. These clients often have received substantial damages. Lorna Halfpenny-Beeby and Amy Paxton are also key contacts. Practice head(s):
Jane Bennett
Other key lawyers:
Richard Shearing; Jemma Cahan; Lorna Halfpenny-Beeby; Ian Macara; Amy Paxton; Alexandra Edwards
Testimonials
‘Jane Bennett and Jemma Cahan have both shown great compassion and empathy for their clients whilst working towards long-term positive outcomes.’
‘Lorna Halfpenny-Beeby is efficient, responsive, and proactive. It is clear she has a sound grasp of all of the intricate needs of her clients and she works collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for those clients.’
‘A team that’s grown significantly in recent years with some strong additions such as Richard Sheering.’
‘Lorna Halfpenny-Beeby is an excellent example of someone who is fully invested in client care and outcomes. Always striving for the best results in sometimes incredibly difficult circumstances.’
‘Ian Macara’s approach when talking to vulnerable clients and their families is done so with compassion and empathy. He has a unique ability to put clients at ease and instils confidence and calm in what is often difficult situations.’
‘Firm enjoys excellent, well-deserved reputation for Deputyship and COP work. Standout firm in this sector with strength and depth in their team and a client-centred, efficient and responsive approach.’
‘Jane Bennett is not only an expert in her field but her relationships with clients and those affected by serious injury is exemplary. She is empathetic and understanding of the needs of those lacking capacity.’
‘Jane Bennett and Richard Shearing provide a very personalised service for their clients, and work hard to achieve the best outcomes for their clients.’
Key clients
Dolmans
DWF Law
Clyde & Co
Weightmans
DAC Beachcroft
CL Medilaw
Work highlights
- Provided an expert witness statement for CL Medilaw in the PI proceedings regarding the costs of a professional deputyship for property and affairs in which the client was the victim of a catastrophic injury claim after a road traffic accident.
- Advising a client’s family, case managers, and litigation lawyers on Court of Protection matters in complex cross border case.
- Acted for a client in successfully negotiating restitution payment to help secure the client’s long-term financial position.
JE Bennett Law > Firm Profile
FIRM OVERVIEW
Founded in 2012, JE Bennett Law provides support for clients in vulnerable circumstances nationwide from its base in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The firm’s core business is focused on helping private clients on matters regarding the Court of Protection; trusts for the vulnerable; the law regarding the elderly client; and the provision of expert witness services. The firm works directly with clients as professional deputy or advising lay deputies and also works extensively with a network of public, business and professional referrers, often working collaboratively with other law firms. After experiencing significant growth, the firm has experienced increased demand in related services and recently restructured to provide a sound platform for further development in all its key practice areas. The firm now has:
· a COP Personal Injury and Expert Witness division led by Managing Partner Jane Bennett.
· A COP Public and Panel Deputy division, led by Senior Partner Ian Macara.
· A Private Client division, led by Senior Partner Richard Shearing
Founder and managing partner, Jane Bennett, is a highly experienced private client lawyer, with over 20 years specialising in Court of Protection law. She set up JE Bennett Law to create a firm dedicated to empowering and supporting clients in vulnerable circumstances and built a team of like-minded individuals. Today, with a staff of around 40, including 8 partners, the firm has a hardworking team of specialists who share a passion for helping those in vulnerable circumstances and provide a caring, excellent and efficient personal service.
In addition to being ranked in The Legal 500, JE Bennett Law as a firm and Jane Bennett as an individual, are ranked in Chambers.
CORE PRACTICE AREAS
Court of Protection: the firm acts primarily for those who, due to events in their lives/personal trauma, are limited in their ability to manage their own financial and health/care needs. This can arise through brain/spinal cord injuries or mental health issues, and can involve personal injury or medical negligence. The firm also advises the client’s family members, who are often going through an extremely stressful time as a result of trying to fight for their loved one’s rights.
The firm advises on deprivation of liberty and health and welfare matters, and frequently works with family members and/or the local authority to safeguard vulnerable people from financial abuse, neglect/physical or other forms of abuse, including investigating and advising regarding allegations against attorneys under Enduring/General/Lasting Powers of Attorney.
The firm acts as professional deputy for over 300 clients in vulnerable circumstances and as health and welfare deputy in complex cases involving family disputes and/or arising out of contentious court proceedings. The firm also advises a significant number of lay deputies, and is frequently instructed by local authorities.
Expert Witness: Led by Managing Partner, Jane Bennett the Expert Witness team acts as expert witnesses in high-value and catastrophic personal injury litigation claims (regarding the role and costs associated with a professional deputy and related issues) and, also, in criminal injuries compensation authority claims. We act for claimants and defendants including a significant number of large loss insurers.
Personal injury compensation trusts: The team sets up many personal injury trusts and also acts as professional trustee for compensation protection trusts for the mentally and/or physically vulnerable beneficiary and, in particular, regarding trusts for spinally injured clients.
Elderly client law: the practice also offers a full range of services for the elderly, including the following:
Lasting and ordinary Powers of Attorney and professional attorneyships.
Wills and Probate: the firm offers a full range of Will-writing services including statutory will applications in the Court of Protection, and discretionary/disabled Will trusts. In addition to advice to family members on the death of a loved one, the firm offers professional executor/administrator and trusteeship services to families/beneficiaries at this difficult time.
Tunbridge Wells
Eridge House
1 Linden Close
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN4 8HH
T: 01892 487746
DX:3930 Tunbridge Wells
www.jebennettlaw.co.uk
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managing partner | Jane Bennett | [email protected] | 01892 487746 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Ms Jane Bennett | Managing Partner | View Profile |
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Ms Jemma Cahan | Partner | View Profile |
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Ms Alexandra Edwards | Partner | View Profile |
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Ms Lorna Halfpenny-Beeby | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Ian Macara | Senior Partner | View Profile |
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Ms Amy Paxton | Partner | View Profile |
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Richard Shearing | Senior Partner | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 7 Number of other UK fee-earners : 8- Private client > Court of protection