JE Bennett Law > Kent, England > Firm Profile

JE Bennett Law
Eridge House
1 Linden Close
Tunbridge Wells
TN4 8HH
England

Email firm Visit website 01732 454 983

Private client > Court of protection Tier 2

At JE Bennett Law, Jane Bennett

‘as the leader of the firm, has clearly set a very high standard of company ethos and values, which filters down the spine of staff.’ It receives many plaudits for is ‘client-centred’ approach to clients who are rendered physically/mentally vulnerable either by catastrophic accident or clinical negligence injuries. It also covers elderly client-related dementia/illnesses, and mental health disorders. Bennett and new arrival to the team, Ian Macara, are both OPG national deputies. Bennett continues to act as a professional trustee in a growing number of personal injury trust cases, and her expert witness practice continues to grow. Richard Shearing and Lorna Halfpenny-Beeby are both highly regarded.

Hall of Fame

Jane Bennett

- JE Bennett Law

Next Generation Partners

Amy Paxton - JE Bennett Law

Richard Shearing - JE Bennett Law

Lorna Halfpenny-Beeby – JE Bennett Law

Practice head(s):

Jane Bennett

Other key lawyers:

Lorna Halfpenny-Beeby; Ian Macara; Richard Shearing; Jemma Cahan

Testimonials

‘JE Bennett Law, for all the years I have worked with them, continue to be client focused and uphold the highest levels of professionalism within this area of specialty. All associate and employees I liaise with are personable, knowledgeable and respond to any queries in a timely manner’.

‘Lorna Halfpenny-Beeby is passionate and enthusiastic about her clients. She is fantastic at advocating for them and gives a sense she really gets to know and understand what their bespoke needs are. Lorna is very approachable and always a delight to talk with’.

‘Jane Bennett is an experienced Court of Protection Deputy, who gives evidence on deputyship fees for both claimants and insurers. She is seen as a realistic witness rather than one who is polarised (and there are many of those). She is also straightforward to deal with and efficient’.

‘Jane Bennett herself is excellent but she is ably supported by her team and in particular Jemma Cahan has been impressive’.

‘I have had experience of working with Ian Macara and supporting with his clients. I have always found Ian to be extremely caring about his clients and passionate about ensuring their wishes are met and they are listened to’.

‘Jane Bennett is just excellent. Whether acting as a Deputy or a litigator or both, she is helpful, well prepared, friendly and approachable to the client and fellow professionals alike’.

‘Ian Macara is a highly experienced panel deputy, in addition to possessing experience in other related private client Court of Protection work, such as attorney disputes. Ian manages his cases attentively and proactively’.

‘Ian Macara and Richard Shearing are great to work with and always put their clients’ needs at the forefront of their work’.

Key clients

Dolmans

DWF Law

Clyde & Co

Weightmans

DAC Beachcroft

CL Medilaw

Dutton Gregory

TG Baynes

Work highlights

Assisted the Court of Protection and the Criminal Court with investigating and collating evidence of financial abuse against its client MA which was pivotal in the criminal case.
Acted as a panel deputy for AB and represented the client in family proceedings regarding housing and financial support, ultimately reaching agreement in its client’s best interests.
Appointed as panel deputy for MM who at the time lacked capacity, was homeless and was subject to a freezing injunction. It was able to lift the injunction and continue to support its client on financial and property affairs.

Founded in 2011, JE Bennett Law provides vulnerable client legal services from its base in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and is well connected to meet clients in London and the South East. 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; community care law, and the provision of expert witness services.

The firm: Founder Jane Bennett is a highly experienced private client lawyer, with over 15 years specialising in vulnerable client law. She set up JE Bennett Law to create a firm dedicated to helping the vulnerable client.

Today, with a staff of around 30, the firm has a hardworking team of specialists who share a passion for helping the vulnerable and provide a caring, excellent and efficient personal service. The firm’s clients are typically South-East based but the firm is often asked to act in cases of a complex nature, much further afield.

JE Bennett Law has been ranked in The Legal 500 under Court of Protection since 2015 and Jane is a recommended lawyer. Jane was appointed as one (of 72) of the Office of the Public Guardian’s national panel of professional deputies in 2015.

Types of work undertaken
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 100 highly vulnerable clients 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.

Personal injury compensation trusts: Jane sets up many personal injury trusts and also acts as a professional trustee for compensation protection trusts for the mentally and/or physically vulnerable beneficiary and, in particular, regarding trusts for spinally injured clients. She recently presented a series of well received MBL seminars to legal professionals on this area of law.

Elderly client law: the practice also offers a full range of services for the elderly, as many of its clients fall into this category and the firm feels that it is important to cater for all their potential needs. This includes advice regarding general/enduring/lasting powers of attorney, and Jane acts as a professional attorney where required.

Community care law: JE Bennett also advises regarding care in the community (and when a client may be eligible to receive funding for it) whether via the NHS commissioners or the local authority. It specialises in matters pertaining to care home contracts and fairness of contractual terms.

Wills and probate: the firm offers a full range of will services including statutory will applications to 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.

Additional services: Jane Bennett acts as an expert witness 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. Jane acts for a significant number of large loss insurers but also for the claimant insured.

Department	Name	Email	Telephone
Managing partner	Jane Bennett	jbennett@jebennettlaw.co.uk	01892 487746

Name	Position	Profile
Ms Jane Bennett	Managing Partner	View Profile
Ms Jemma Cahan	Partner	View Profile
Ms Alexandra Edwards	Partner	View Profile
Ms Lorna Halfpenny-Beeby	Partner	View Profile
Mr Ian Macara	Senior Partner	View Profile
Ms Amy Paxton	Partner	View Profile
Richard Shearing	Senior Partner	View Profile