Serjeants’ Inn Chambers is lauded for being 'the leaders in the field of serious medical treatment cases in the Court of Protection'. In a high-profile matter, Bridget Dolan KC appeared for an NHS Trust in a case concerning ceilings of care matters following the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment from a severely disabled child, on the grounds that it was in his best interests due to his expected imminent death. However, the child was alive and living at home four months after the treatment had been withdrawn. Nageena Khalique KC is very experienced in advising on complex medical treatment matters, as well as on cases concerning a young person's deprivation of liberty. David Lawson is 'a silk in the making with a superb command of the courtroom'. The 'excellent' Rhys Hadden is active in cases involving complex safeguarding, residence and mental health issues. James Berry KC took silk in March 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Having been a forensic and academic psychologist for 13 years before her call to the Bar in 1997, it is unsurprising that Bridget’s practice has a strong focus on matters involving psychological issues. She specialises in all aspects of law in relation to mental health (whether representing professionals or service users and their families) and so is regularly found representing parties in the Court of Protection, the Admin Court and in Mental Health Tribunals. She is often instructed by the Official Solicitor in serious medical treatment cases, involving particularly difficult end of life decision-making. The other core aspect of Bridget’s practice is coronial law. She represents families, public bodies and other interested persons at inquests as well as acting in public law challenges to Coroner’s decisions in the High Court. Bridget draws upon her wide experience from both sides of the bench, as she sits as Assistant Deputy Coroner in West Sussex. Alongside acting for IPs in high media profile ‘Article 2’ cases, Coroners often instruct Bridget as counsel to the inquest, most recently the In Amenas Inquests into the killings of Britons in Algeria by terrorists linked to Al-Qaeda (2014-15) and currently in the fresh inquest into the death at Deepcut Barracks of Pvt Cheryl James (2015-16).
Career
Call 1997; Silk 2016.
Research psychologist, Eating Disorders Clinic, St George’s Medical School 1984-1987; lecturer in forensic psychology, St George’s Medical School 1988-1997; chartered psychologist 1989; chartered forensic psychologist 1995-97; pupillage, 3 Serjeants’ Inn 1997; president, Mental Health Review Tribunal(part-time) 2007; tribunal judge (part-time) First Tier Tribunal (Health Education and Social Chamber) 2008; assistant deputy coroner for West Sussex 2010.
Education
BSc (Hons) Psychology 1st Class (1984); PhD Psychology (1989); CPE (Commendation) (1996).
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Testimonials
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- 'The clerks are well-led by Tom O'Connor.'
- 'The clerks at Serjeants Inn are nothing short of incredible. They are quick to respond and will always do what they can to assist our team.'
- 'The service provided by Serjeants Inn's clerks is always excellent.'
- 'The clerks are extremely dedicated and responsive.'
- 'An outstanding set.'
- 'The primary choice for all Court of Protection cases with a medical aspect.'
- 'Serjeants Inn is the go-to chambers on all aspects of Court of Protection. The team is filled with an incredible amount of talent throughout.'
- 'Serjeants Inn is a superb set.'