Field Court Chambers has a solid track record in advising on complex Court of Protection cases involving deprivation of liberty and personal welfare matters. Francis Hoar regularly acts for local authorities and relatives in complex Court of Protection proceedings, and has particular expertise in handling medical treatment cases involving Covid-19 vaccinations. Hilton Harrop-Griffiths is instructed by Brighton & Hove City Council in the case of a man with autism and learning disabilities, who was detained under the Mental Health Act in a secure hospital for over 20 years following an initial temporary admission. In January 2025 Christine Cooper retired from full-time practice and was appointed as a nominated judge in the Court of Protection.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Tony's principal clients are English local authorities – about 1/3rd of London boroughs and several city and county councils.
He has more than 25 years’ experience of advising and acting for them in social services cases. Tony has probably been instructed at least once about every non-childcare issue a local authority social services solicitor could conceivably encounter.
His practice covers Care Act 2014 and Mental Health Act 1983-related issues in the provision of adult social care, age assessments, no recourse to public funds (NRPF), children services as well as Mental Capacity Act 2005 cases.
His recent notable cases include:
- CT v London Borough of Lambeth & Anor [2025] EWCOP 6 (T3) – “evidential divide on capacity between the clinicians and social workers”
- Re. Tony Hickmott in the Court of Protection, ongoing – supported living placement for former Mental Health Act detainee
- R (AOJ) v. Islington LBC [2024] EWHC 427 – age assessment
Career
Call: 1978
Memberships
ALBA
Education
- BA (Manchester)
Content supplied by Field Court Chambers
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks are particularly helpful and extremely responsive.'
- 'The clerks provide an efficient service.'
- 'Field Court Chambers provides a high level of customer service.'
- 'Field Court Chambers maintains a strong focus on Court of Protection work, with an impressive breadth of experience across its members.'
- 'Field Court Chambers is very good with customer care.'