Public sector
Headed by the ‘exceptionally skilled’ Laura Hobey-Hamsher, Bindmans LLP acts for vulnerable adults, and those who are acting in their best interests. The team remains a firm of choice for the Official Solicitor, Independent Mental Capacity Advocates, NGOs and charities. Additionally, it receives a regular flow of work from other lawyers, and those in the medical profession. Hobey-Hamsher has developed a niche practice acting for high-profile individuals, cases with a cross-border element, and cases where there have been allegations of serious physical, sexual or financial abuse. Will Whitaker is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor and family members. Emma Varley and Georgina Byrne are both recommended.
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Profile
Work Department
Public Law and Human Rights.
Position
Partner, Public Law and Human Rights.
For well over a decade, Laura has been known for her contentious and non-contentious work acting for, and advising in, cases concerning individuals made vulnerable because of a lack of mental capacity, physical ill health, or mental ill health.
Laura's work encompasses numerous other specialist areas, including cases brought under – or concerning – the Children Act 1989, the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court, the Care Act 2014, the Mental Health Act 1983, and professional and regulatory frameworks.
In her broad practice, Laura regularly advises private individuals, the Official Solicitor, and charitable and commercial organisations, in national and cross-border disputes, amongst others. She is regularly invited to speak at seminars and conferences, and has provided advice and training to legal, medical, and social work professionals, as well as NGOs, charities, and campaigning organisations.
Laura has acted in many high profile and significant Court of Protection cases, many of which have featured in both the national and international media. Known equally however for her sensitive and discreet approach, over the years, many well-known individuals and household names have benefited from Laura’s renowned ability to ensure that their cases are kept out of the public domain.
Career
Laura qualified in 2008, before joining Fisher Meredith LLP in 2010. She joined Bindmans LLP in 2014.
Laura’s reported cases of legal note include:
2022
S v Birmingham Women’s And Children’s NHS Trust [2022] EWCOP 10
2021
T & Anor v L & Ors (Inherent Jurisdiction : Costs) [2021] EWHC 2147 (Fam)
2020
The Health Service Executive of Ireland v IM & Anor (Rev 1) [2020] EWCOP 51
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust v AB [2020] EWCOP 40
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust v MX & Ors [2020] EWHC 1958 (Fam)
VE v AO & Others [2020] EWCOP 23
London Borough of Tower Hamlets v A & Anor [2020] EWCOP 21
QD (Habitual Residence) (No.2) [2020] EWCOP 14
2019
Southend-On-Sea Borough Council v Meyers [2019] EWHC 399 (Fam)
QD (Jurisdiction: Habitual Residence) [2019] EWCOP 56
JK v A Local Health Board [2019] EWHC 67 (Fam)
Re AB (Termination) [2019] EWCA Civ 1215
An NHS Foundation Trust v AB & Ors [2019] EWCOP 26
Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v TG & Anor [2019] EWCOP 21
2018
A Local Authority v BF [2018] EWCA Civ 2962
2017
DA v DJ [2017] EWHC 3904 (Fam)
2016
V v Associated Newspapers Ltd & Others [2016] EWCOP 21
V v Associated Newspapers Ltd & Ors [2016] EWCOP 21
The London Borough of Southwark v KA (Capacity to Marry) [2016] EWHC 661 (Fam)
2015
V v Associated Newspapers Ltd & Ors [2015] EWCOP 88
V (Out of Hours: Reporting Restriction Order), Re (Rev 1) [2015] EWCOP 83
Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust v C & Anor [2015] EWCOP 80
MASM v MMAM & Ors (Rev 1) [2015] EWCOP 3
2014
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets v TB & Anor (Rev 1) [2014] EWCOP 53
LBX v TT & Others [2014] EWCOP 24
2012
Re SK [2012] EWHC 1990
Memberships
Laura is an accredited member of the Law Society’s Mental Capacity (Welfare) Accreditation Scheme
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Stand-out firm in this area. They bring great humanity to difficult cases, with tactical sophistication about how to get the best out of the litigation.’
‘Laura Hobey-Hamsher: has been a star for years. Very on it, great to work with, and respected by lawyers and judges alike. Will Whittaker: thoughtful and efficient. Really committed to the clients and work in this area.'
'Emma Varley: has handled some seriously tough cases. Calm in the face of the storm and very focused. Paradise Bidkalameh: very experienced and busy practitioner.'
‘Laura Hobey-Hamsher can challenge the thinking of the cleverest KC. Georgina Byrne is the future of the Court of Protection.’
‘They have an excellent reputation, so get some very good clients. Laura Hobey-Hamsher gets very good referrals from the Official Solicitor for complex international COP work.’
‘Laura Hobey-Hamsher is a stand-out partner. She has great judgment and knows how to work a case. Georgina Byrne is an excellent lawyer. Hardworking, good judgment, and always completely on top of all the detail.’
Key clients
- Tony Hickmott
- KS
- BB