39 Essex Chambers is ‘very well respected in the Court of Protection health and welfare arena‘. In a high-profile matter, Vikram Sachdeva KC, Catherine Dobson, Neil Allen and Alexander Ruck Keene KC appeared for various parties in Hemachandran v Thirumalesh, a Court of Appeal case concerning capacity issues regarding making decisions for medical treatment. The Court held that an individual’s belief in the relevant information when making a decision about medical treatment was not a legal requirement of the mental capacity test. In another matter, Victoria Butler-Cole KC acted for a client in Aberdeenshire Council v SF & Ors, a case involving the question of whether a Scottish Guardianship order could authorise a guardian to deprive a person, who was residing in an English supported living placement, of their liberty. Peter Mant KC was elevated to silk in March 2025; Saara Idelbi, Alex Cisneros and Matthew Wyard joined the team in August 2025.
Court of Protection: health and welfare in
London Bar
39 Essex Chambers
Les références
‘The client care skills of Sheraton Doyle and Peter Campbell are superb.’
‘Oscar Redif is a pleasure to work with and always helpful, friendly and working tirelessly to go above and beyond expectations.’
‘Max Head and Oscar Redif are hugely helpful, friendly and polite.’
Serjeants' Inn Chambers
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 However, the child was alive and living at home four months after the treatment had been withdrawn.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.
Les références
‘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.’
Doughty Street Chambers
Doughty Street Chambers is lauded for its 'incredibly experienced' Court of Protection team. Aswini Weereratne KC is sought after for her expertise in advising on cases involving capacity, mental health and human rights issues. Jamie Burton KC appeared before the High Court in a high-profile judicial review and civil claim concerning the treatment of an autistic man with learning difficulties, who was detained in seclusion with no access to recreation and outside space for over 300 days. Ulele Burnham is well versed in advising on complex medical treatment issues and deprivation of liberty matters. Grace Capel joined the team in August 2024.
Les références
‘The clerks are excellent, responsive and helpful. Grace Walton and Keya Ahmed have both been fantastic.’
‘Keya Ahmed is always very prompt in response to my queries and always delivers in her promises.’
‘The clerks are very responsive and helpful.’
1GC | Family Law
1GC | Family Law's Court of Protection team is very experienced in acting for local authorities and the Official Solicitor. The 'excellent' Andrew Bagchi KC has an excellent track record in advising on complex health and welfare disputes, often representing clients before the High Court. Malcolm Chisholm is 'excellent with vulnerable clients' and 'his knowledge in Court of Protection law is extensive'; he is often instructed in complex cases concerning deprivation of liberty.
Les références
‘The clerks are always courteous, efficient and helpful.’
‘The clerks provide a good and efficient service.’
‘Polite, friendly, and always go above and beyond to assist.’
Field Court Chambers
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.
Les références
‘The clerks are particularly helpful and extremely responsive.’
‘The clerks provide an efficient service.’
‘Field Court Chambers provides a high level of customer service.’
Garden Court Chambers
At Garden Court Chambers, the 'diplomatic and highly experienced' Bethan Harris brings extensive experience in handling cases concerning individuals who lack capacity, and routinely advises on health and welfare matters and deprivation of liberty issues. Gráinne Mellon is advising on a case involving complex medical and safeguarding issues pertaining to a 28-year-old woman with autism and a history of trauma. Grace Capel left the set in August 2024.
Les références
‘Callum Gordon is always polite, helpful and quick to respond.’
‘Callum Gordon and Gavin John are very good clerks, they are very responsive and always able to offer assistance at short notice.’
‘The clerks are fantastic, very friendly and extremely responsive.’
39 Essex Chambers
Les références
‘The client care skills of Sheraton Doyle and Peter Campbell are superb.’
‘Oscar Redif is a pleasure to work with and always helpful, friendly and working tirelessly to go above and beyond expectations.’
‘Max Head and Oscar Redif are hugely helpful, friendly and polite.’
Serjeants' Inn Chambers
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.
Les références
‘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.’
Doughty Street Chambers
Doughty Street Chambers is lauded for its 'incredibly experienced' Court of Protection team. Aswini Weereratne KC is sought after for her expertise in advising on cases involving capacity, mental health and human rights issues. Jamie Burton KC appeared before the High Court in a high-profile judicial review and civil claim concerning the treatment of an autistic man with learning difficulties, who was detained in seclusion with no access to recreation and outside space for over 300 days. Ulele Burnham is well versed in advising on complex medical treatment issues and deprivation of liberty matters. Grace Capel joined the team in August 2024.
Les références
‘The clerks are excellent, responsive and helpful. Grace Walton and Keya Ahmed have both been fantastic.’
‘Keya Ahmed is always very prompt in response to my queries and always delivers in her promises.’
‘The clerks are very responsive and helpful.’
1GC | Family Law
1GC | Family Law's Court of Protection team is very experienced in acting for local authorities and the Official Solicitor. The 'excellent' Andrew Bagchi KC has an excellent track record in advising on complex health and welfare disputes, often representing clients before the High Court. Malcolm Chisholm is 'excellent with vulnerable clients' and 'his knowledge in Court of Protection law is extensive'; he is often instructed in complex cases concerning deprivation of liberty.
Les références
‘The clerks are always courteous, efficient and helpful.’
‘The clerks provide a good and efficient service.’
‘Polite, friendly, and always go above and beyond to assist.’
Field Court Chambers
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.
Les références
‘The clerks are particularly helpful and extremely responsive.’
‘The clerks provide an efficient service.’
‘Field Court Chambers provides a high level of customer service.’
Garden Court Chambers
At Garden Court Chambers, the 'diplomatic and highly experienced' Bethan Harris brings extensive experience in handling cases concerning individuals who lack capacity, and routinely advises on health and welfare matters and deprivation of liberty issues. Gráinne Mellon is advising on a case involving complex medical and safeguarding issues pertaining to a 28-year-old woman with autism and a history of trauma. Grace Capel left the set in August 2024.
Les références
‘Callum Gordon is always polite, helpful and quick to respond.’
‘Callum Gordon and Gavin John are very good clerks, they are very responsive and always able to offer assistance at short notice.’
‘The clerks are fantastic, very friendly and extremely responsive.’