Irwin Mitchell’s ‘extremely experienced’ and large team supports over 1,500 clients nationally across its ten offices. Lucy Nicol has a varied case load- she regularly acts for individuals with complex brain injuries, while national head of public law Yogi Amin undertakes a broad range of judicial review, human rights cases, and mental capacity work. Angela Jackman is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor and statutory advocates to represent vulnerable patients in deprivation of liberty, and general welfare cases. Damian Hodkinson regularly acts as a professional deputy for individuals who have lost the capacity to manage their financial affairs. Also recommended is Oliver Studdert who represents clients in s16 and s21A proceedings. Lucy Bazley was promoted to the partnership in May 2024, while Georgina Garner joined the practice in February 2025 from Slater Heelis (Part of Lawfront).
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Lucy Nicol has a real feel for COP work. I know that she and members of her team always act with the incapacitated person's best interests at the forefront of their minds. She has a very practical and pragmatic approach to litigation.'
‘Irwin Mitchell have highly qualified and personable solicitors that work closely with their clients. Damian Hodkinson, Sally Murphy and Lucy Bazley are members of the the team that we work with most regularly.’
‘Lucy Nicol & Gillian Hitchen are leading industry practitioners which is of huge benefit to their clients.’
‘Angela Jackman KC is very experienced and highly regarded in this area. She is very effective in running the case and works collaboratively with all parties for the benefit of her clients. She is pragmatic and has excellent judgment.’
‘Angela Jackman KC and Oliver Studdert are exceptional advocates, combining deep expertise with unwavering dedication to protecting their clients’ rights.’
‘Damian Hodkinson is an outstanding Court of Protection professional deputy: able to deal sympathetically with a wide range of clients and their families, but also firm enough to push strongly for P's best interests when firmness is required.’
‘The team are quite simply the best in their field. They combine a compassionate, human approach to the most sensitive of cases, whether representing a protected party or a family member. The team's knowledge of the law is superb.'
‘Mathieu Culverhouse's knowledge and experience of health and welfare COP work is unparalleled. He has been involved in some of the jurisdiction's leading cases and continues to bring his experience and professionalism to difficult cases. He is down to earth and easy to work with.'
- 'Lots of good people around the country. The COP team relies on a workhorse of excellent associates.'
- 'Irwin Mitchell are well known for their strength in representing protected parties and families in Court of Protection proceedings. They are a national powerhouse and leave no stone uncovered.'
Work highlights
Acted for ZX, by his litigation friend the Official Solicitor, in a successful appeal of a decision that ZX lacked capacity to engage in sexual relations.
Instructed at short notice to represent a parent, TA, who challenged a health trust’s application seeking an order from the Court of Protection that it was in her daughter’s best interests for brain stem testing to take place.
Instructed by CX in an application to the COP in respect of his mother, HX who was in her late 40s by the NHS Trust, who considered it to be in her best interests to withdraw life-sustaining treatment.
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Practice head
Lucy Nicol; Yogi Amin
Other key lawyers
Damian Hodkinson; Angela Jackman; Oliver Studdert; Lucy Bazley; Georgina Garner; Sally Murphy; Gillian Hitchen; Mathieu Culverhouse