Joseph O’Brien KC
A leading silk in the field.’
At St John’s Buildings, ‘the Court of Protection barristers all have a wealth of experience in this area of law’. Joseph O’Brien KC leads the team, and is regularly instructed by local authorities, family members, the Official Solicitor, health care providers and hospitals in complex welfare matters, with noted expertise in deprivation of liberty issues. Hannah Bakshani is ‘a very safe pair of hands and confident in the court arena’, with established strength in handling cases involving fluctuating and mixed capacity, forced marriage and covert medication. Best interests issues are prominent in Jonathan Bellamy’s workload, and Rebecca Carr is ‘very thorough in her analysis of cases and always provides detailed advice’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Clerks are fantastic, especially Curtis Russell, who always communicates punctually.'
- 'All of the clerks that I have come across at St John's are professional, friendly and will do their best to assist.'
- 'The set is just brilliant, organised and super efficient, including all the clerks.'
- 'The COP team is very strong.'
- 'All the barristers are excellent.'
Lawyers
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Hannah Bakshani
An impressive, confident and organised barrister.'
Jonathan Bellamy
He has a strategic mind and an ability to explain the law in very clear terms. He is always willing to go that extra mile.'
Natalia Levine
A junior who has a calm and conspicuously compassionate manner with her clients and in court.'
