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).

The outstanding team at Thomson Snell & Passmore continues to advise on complex capacity issues. It is renowned for its expertise in property and affairs cases, especially involving high-value catastrophic injury claims. Brian Bacon, who has been described as a ‘legend in this field’ is regularly instructed to act as an expert witness by leading personal injury and clinical negligence firms, case managers and leading silks. Rosie Hamlyn helps on a wide range of deputyship applications, particularly those relating to clients who have been involved in catastrophic accidents. Catherine Fuller specialises in applications for individuals with severe brain injuries and other complex medical conditions.

Under the joint leadership of Stephen Richards and Julia Abrey, Withers LLP is ‘at the absolute forefront of this practice area, appearing in the biggest cases’, acting for families, trustees, executors, charities and other professional groups. The practice is skilled at advising on disabled trusts and on advance decisions to refuse medical treatment. Significantly too, it has considerable international capabilities and is highly regarded for its ability to handle complex cross-border capacity issues. Richards advises both complainants and respondents on investigations by the Office of the Public Guardian. Increasingly, Richards advises families where a vulnerable member (often with cognitive decline) has suffered financial abuse, and cases concerning sectioning under the Mental Health Act. Abrey has particular strength in cross-border capacity issues, while Paul Hewitt advises on contentious Court of Protection matters relating to financial, health and welfare matters. Natasha Stourton’s expertise includes advising on statutory wills, lifetime gifts and powers of attorney. Sarah Aughwane was promoted to the partnership in July 2024. Alice Tomlin is another key name to note.

The Court of Protection team at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP delivers tailored financial deputy and financial support services for a large volume of clients, acting for people who lack capacity with high-value catastrophic injury settlements, as well as those on state benefits only. Donna Holmes is a panel deputy, and regularly acts as a professional trustee. In addition, she often acts as an expert witness for personal injury and clinical negligence solicitors. Douglas Houghton represents a number of clients whose needs range from benefits management and payment of care home fees, through to the management of high-value personal injury awards.

Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP has an active and diverse practice, which is well equipped to handle a broad range of national and international contentious and non-contentious matters for a wide array of clients. David Wedgwood is recommended for his work on both welfare and finance related litigation – he regularly receives referrals from the Official Solicitor. Alexandra Knipe deals with deputyships arising from complex personal injury and clinical negligence cases. Emma Tante manages a high-value case load. A recent highlight was Holly Mieville-Hawkins joining the team from Michelmores LLP in March 2025.

The national practice at Bevan Brittan LLP ‘distinguishes itself through its exceptional handling of the most sensitive and complex healthcare disputes’. It is renowned for its work in supporting public and independent sector health and care organisations on a wide array of COP matters. Its client base includes the NHS, local authorities and the housing sector. Other clients include charities, and independent and third sector organisations. Hannah Taylor is highly regarded for her work across mental capacity and mental health, as well as other areas spanning safeguarding and serious incident responses. Simon Lindsay works on a wide variety of complex cases, predominantly involving highly vulnerable patients. Tim Hodgetts and Tracey Longfield (who joined the team from DAC Beachcroft LLP in November 2024) are recommended, while Julia Jones, Amrita Hurst and Stuart Marchant are further names to note. Claire Leonard and Emma Timmons were recently promoted to the partnership.

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.

Boyes Turner specialises in managing the property and affairs of high-net-worth individuals. The majority of the firm’s clients have substantial claims for personal injury or clinical negligence compensation. As well as professional deputyships, the ‘very thorough‘ team is regularly approached to assist in lay deputy applications. Ruth Meyer is frequently asked to be an expert witness by other specialist court of protection and clinical negligence solicitors. Alexander Wright principally works with clients who have suffered injuries at birth. Sue Bowler joined the practice in November 2024 from Shoosmiths LLP.

The full-service Court of Protection team at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is co-led by Suzanne Marriott and Sally Ashford. It draws on the strength of its international offices, and regularly acts on multi-jurisdictional disputes. In addition, the group often acts for clients where there has been previous financial abuse. Marriott is a member of the Solicitors for the Elderly and the STEP special interest group on mental capacity. Marriott specialises in cross-border and UK mental incapacity and Court of Protection work. Ashford is also a member of the STEP special interest group on mental capacity. Ashford often deals with complex capacity issues in addition to acting as professional deputy for both welfare and property, as well as financial affairs. Tamasin Perkins has particular expertise in acting for elderly clients, and in advising on non-contentious gifting applications.

The ‘excellent team‘ at Clarke Willmott LLP has ‘strength and depth, and genuine expertise in this area’. It is ably co-led by Anthony Fairweather and Anne Minihane, who ‘make an impressive team‘. Fairweather specialises in extremely challenging deputyships, sometimes including fraud, and is skilled at handling a range of high-value cases often involving cross-border elements. Minihane acts as a deputy for those who have an acquired brain injury, had a diagnosis of dementia, stroke or other learning difficulties. Bonita Walters plays a pivotal role in the contentious Court of Protection offering. The team overall is well placed to handle a broad variety of issues, such as abuse by attorneys and foreign jurisdiction issues, as well as advising on disputes with local authorities.

DAC Beachcroft LLP fields a large and ‘exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful’ team, which comes recommended for its court of protection work in the health and social care sector. It provides specialist support to health and social care commissioners, the NHS, and independent health and social care providers. It is renowned for its wealth of experience in advising on the complex legal framework covering mental capacity, mental health and deprivation of liberty. Leeds-based Paul McGough regularly represents NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Boards in Court of Protection proceedings concerning the care, treatment and deprivation of liberty of incapacitated service users. Gill Weatherill supports providers in managing CQC, criminal and other regulatory scrutiny alongside advising on clinical governance and patient safety.

The ‘very efficient’ team at EMG Solicitors 'pays close attention to detail to promote their clients’ best interests’. The large and independent COP team is ably co-led by Jemma Morland and Eilish Ferry-Kennington, and covers the full range of property and affairs, as well as health and welfare matters. It acts in a substantial number of high-net-worth professional deputyship cases for clients who have sustained complex catastrophic injuries. It is known for its expertise in elder law, and works on a sizeable number of deputyships for minors. The group is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor on issues, such as mental health, social care and best interests’ decisions. It is instructed by a growing number of leading UK personal injury lawyers and barristers dealing with the most complicated and often catastrophic brain injury claims.

The ‘very skilled and knowledgeable' team at Enable Law has undergone some leadership changes, with Annabelle Vaughan taking over as practice head after the departure of Stacey Bryant. Alison McClure continues to play a key role in the practice, which specialises in personal injury and clinical negligence matters. It offers a growing specialism in elder law, and other areas spanning statutory wills, and issues of physical and financial abuse. Huw Ponting is another key member of the department, acting for clients who have suffered maximum severity brain injuries following life-changing accidents. Darren O’Sullivan joined the practice from Novum Law in February 2024.

The ‘excellent’ and ‘dedicated’ team at Hill Dickinson LLP is particularly well regarded for its advice on matters concerning the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It is recommended for its work on related legislation – this includes advising on the Mental Health Act 1983, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Equality Act 2010. The team is trusted for its expertise in complex and challenging medical treatment cases. It frequently advises on cases involving the provision or withdrawal of treatment, delayed discharges, and on NHS Continuing Healthcare challenges. Kiran Bhogal, Sharon Thomas  and Paul Allerston are the practice heads. Bhogal has considerable expertise in public law, and has Higher Rights of Advocacy (Civil), while being skilled at handling sensitive issues, such as patient care, medical ethics, DoLs authorisations, as well as best interest assessments.

At Hugh James, the national Court of Protection department is headed by Tom Hall. Through its experienced teams in Cardiff, Manchester, Swindon and London, it has ‘great strength in depth‘ as well as significant experience in preparing urgent and complex applications on a variety of matters. These applications relate to property and financial affairs, and health and welfare matters, and the practice is also regularly instructed to assist lay deputies with various applications. Christine Bunting acts as a professional deputy for the property and affairs of clients who lack mental capacity, while Gregory Poole is recommended for his work with clients with severe brain injuries. Kelly Knight and Charlotte Fletcher, who was promoted to the partnership in May 2024, are further important contacts.

The ‘friendly, attentive and supportive’ team at JE Bennett Law often works with mentally vulnerable clients and their families under the excellent leadership of Jane Bennett. Clients of the firm have suffered injuries as a result of catastrophic accidents, clinical negligence or disease. The firm receives regular referrals from a number of national personal injury and clinical negligence specialist lawyers to act as professional deputy. Additionally, Bennett’s expert witness practice is flourishing, while Richard Shearing now handles in excess of 50 deputyship clients. The ‘approachable’ Lorna Halfpenny-Beeby receives plaudits for ‘always being professional and caring’  when helping clients with the management of their property and affairs. Jemma Cahan works with clients who have sustained serious brain injuries as a result of catastrophic accidents, or birth trauma. Ian Macara heads the public deputy team with responsibility for panel and local authority matters.

Kingsley Napley LLP fields a team of ‘excellent advocates for vulnerable clients’. Under the joint leadership of Simon Hardy and Ryan Mowat, the practice is well equipped to help clients with their health and welfare matters. The department is particularly well regarded for its work on cases involving serious allegations of fraud and financial abuse. It is regularly involved in cases with criminal issues and media interest, with the majority of the team's clients lacking capacity due to a catastrophic brain injury. However, clients suffering from age-related capacity issues also form a significant part of the client base. Jemma Garside was promoted to the partnership  in May 2024 – she manages high-value property and affairs deputyships.

Jointly led by Rachel Turner and Floyd Porter, the ‘reliable and efficient‘ team at Miles & Partners LLP helps clients who are unable to make fundamental health and welfare decisions themselves. The firm is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor, Relevant Person’s Representatives, and relatives to work on s.21A of the MCA 2005 cases. The department is experienced in challenging detentions in hospital under the Mental Health Act, particularly in relation to forensic mental health detentions. The group is skilled at challenging unlawful detentions too, which includes bringing High Court actions for judicial reviews. It remains busy advising on other matters, such as challenges to deprivation of liberty, and sometimes on serious medical treatment cases. Andrew Bowmer is another important contact whose experience spans COP, housing and community care law.

Daniel Toop leads a ‘hardworking and professional’ team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP. The practice has a strong reputation for its work on cross-jurisdictional matters, statutory wills, and gift applications while also covering other areas such as advising on capacity concerns for gender transition treatment. Julie Burton acts as a professional deputy for children and adults, with complex brain injuries as a result of a personal injury. Other members of the ‘enthusiastic' department are Grace Serwanga, who is experienced in acting for clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries. Rachel Taylor works with adults and children with brain injuries who have received substantial compensation awards.

At Rothley Law Limited, Birmingham-based Lucy Taylor heads the practice, and acts as a professional deputy for property and affairs. Taylor helps clients who lack mental capacity as a result of a catastrophic brain injury, or severe mental health difficulties. At the Bristol office, Rebecca Bristow has a special interest in children and young adults who have experienced catastrophic brain injuries, either through medical negligence or road traffic incidents. The team continues to expand at a senior level; Heledd Wyn, who is well-regarded for her experience in long-term and elderly care issues, joined the practice from Shakespeare Martineau LLP in November 2024. Mitra Mann arrived from Sydney Mitchell LLP in December 2024.

Russell-Cooke LLP continues to build on its excellent reputation for complex cross-border mental capacity work, and has increasingly been advising on welfare-related matters, while the contentious side of the practice also remains busy. The group often helps on urgent cases where there has been financial abuse. Gareth Ledsham covers the full range of contested mental capacity issues regarding property and financial affairs and is additionally dealing with an increased caseload of disputed welfare matters. Rita Bhargava administers and manages the financial affairs of vulnerable clients. Bhargava has a particular emphasis on those who suffer from neurological conditions, and various forms of dementia. She also manages personal injury trusts for those with brain acquired injuries. Tiggy Hawkesworth has a varied workload – she has advised on contested statutory will applications, as well as on attorney/deputy disputes.

The national offering at Weightmans LLP deals with a wide range of health and welfare, as well as property and financial affairs matters. With its ‘excellent knowledge and experience’, the practice is well placed to act for a large number of local authorities, NHS Trusts, private health and social care providers. Areas of expertise include advising on consent to medical treatment, and on best interests’ decisions. The firm also offers specialist private client advice, and receives regular instructions from wealth managers, other lawyers and accountants. Leeds-based Ben Troke specialises in medical treatment decisions. At the Liverpool office, Simon Goacher and Richard Jolly are recommended. Elsewhere, Richard Bate at the Manchester office, and Birmingham-based Sarah Louise Walker are also well regarded. Morris Hill has extensive experience in representing local authorities and NHS bodies.

Wrigleys Solicitors LLP has ‘a wealth of experience and very able lawyers at different levels of seniority’. The practice also fields a specialist team which looks after compensation awards and deals with all aspects of property and financial affairs for its older and vulnerable clients. Jane Netting heads the department and advises on a wide range of applications to the Court of Protection. These include multi-party statutory will applications, gifting applications, property related and contested trust matters. The ‘exceptionally able‘ Charlotte Dyson acts on a wide range of often complex property and affairs matters. Lynne Bradey frequently advises on infant trust applications in personal injury proceedings, and on trusts for vulnerable beneficiaries. The ‘empathetic‘ Hannah Norton-Parks is another name to note.

Adrian Mundell leads the practice at Ashtons Legal, which specialises in acting for clients who have suffered a catastrophic acquired or birth-related brain injury. The firm acts as professional deputy for over 120 clients. Additionally, it supports family members who are acting as lay deputy, or where the firm has been appointed as attorney or trustee. The team continues to attract regular referrals from other personal injury and medical injury firms, which do not have their own CoP team.

The ‘reliable and efficient‘ Lesley Ann Mayhew leads the specialist practice at Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors. The department is increasingly attracting referrals from injury lawyers which do not have their own COP teams, as well as from larger established COP teams where there is a conflict. Mayhew acts in deputyship cases, and often manages substantial damages awards for victims of all ages. Frequently, these clients have suffered brain injury as a result of medical accidents. Mayhew is a full member of STEP, and an associate member of Solicitors for the Elderly.

At Dovestone Law, ‘what consistently stands out is their approachable and collaborative style’.  Under the joint leadership of Francesca Gabbitas and Kate Luscombe, the specialist court of protection team frequently acts for clients where there is a crossover between mental capacity and complex mental health issues. The team represents vulnerable adults and family members in health and welfare proceedings. Additionally, it is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor and Independent Mental Capacity Advocates in Section 21A applications. Lucinda Broad has a particular focus on health and welfare matters.

Edwards Duthie Shamash fields a team which is ‘hardworking, knowledgeable and dedicated to their clients’. Melissa Law, who is a Solicitor Advocate, heads up the practice. The nimble team continues to be instructed in complex health and welfare cases in the Court of Protection. The group is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor, and by the Court directly to represent protected parties in complex health and welfare proceedings. In addition, it represents family members and advocates. Laura Mannering (who was promoted to the partnership in April 2024), and Kris Jackson-Hughes are both highly regarded.

Fieldfisher has a ‘really impressive’ team of experienced COP lawyers with a focus on high-value, complex property and affairs deputyships for adults and children across the country, often acting for those who have sustained life-changing catastrophic injuries as a result of serious accidents and birth trauma. As well as being appointed as professional deputies, Anna Bond and Robin Tubbs often act as professional trustees for minors.

Christopher Poxamatis (who is a panel deputy) and Shareen Tanvir co-head the practice at Gillhams Solicitors LLP, which deals with a variety of cases, including some complex matters involving personal injury awards. The group is adept at handling cases involving financial abuse, jurisdictional issues, company related matters and cases involving diverse property portfolios.

The experienced team at Hodge Jones & Allen specialises in property and affairs deputyships. It acts for clients with large damages awards for injury claims. The group receives a steady flow of claimant expert witness work too. It has been busy advising on some complex cases involving financial exploitation and disputes. The group continues to help lay deputies and attorneys in their applications to the Court of Protection. The skilled team is particularly experienced in dealing with safeguarding issues for clients at risk of financial exploitation. Christine Dyson; Sarah Charnley and Patrick Allen are the practice heads.

The ‘always thorough and highly personable’ offering at Keystone Law has some excellent practitioners, which includes the ‘outstanding’ Zena Bolwig.  Bolwig is immensely experienced in health and welfare mental capacity law, and in best interest cases. She covers diverse matters, such as cross-border disputes, capacity to consent to sexual relations, and community care law. Helen Calcutt has a sizeable practice, and regularly acts as a professional deputy. Calcutt often advises lay clients on the deputyship process, as well as on statutory will applications.

Anna Moore at Leigh Day acts in a variety of health and welfare cases in the Court of Protection, reflecting the group’s broad capabilities in this area. Amy Chater is an experienced solicitor who specialises in property and finance deputyships, and regularly assists clients who lack mental capacity to manage their own damages and compensation awards. The team is well-equipped to deal with claims under the Human Rights Act – many of these claims are as a result of unlawful deprivations of liberty.

Macfarlanes LLP is a ‘go-to’ firm for high-value and complex disputes for wealthy families and individuals, trustees and family offices. Capacity and matters involving vulnerable adults are significant growth areas for its private client disputes practice. Under the joint leadership of Jonathan Arr and Elizabeth Doherty, the team is increasingly playing a central role in multi-generational disputes. The group is well placed to advise on many issues spanning COP applications and disputes, to advising on the cross-border recognition of deputyships and attorneyships. Advising on freezing orders, and forgery claims are other core areas of expertise.

Neil Ward heads the excellent national offering at Mills & Reeve LLP, which handles a range of complex cases, from urgent medical treatment cases to community deprivation of liberty issues. Clients are NHS trusts, ICBs, and independent sector providers, while the firm is also well placed to advise on the complex interaction between mental capacity and mental health law. Jill Mason frequently covers matters, such as lasting powers of attorney to best interests decisions. These cases often relate to serious medical treatment or deprivation of liberty matters. James Wood joined the team from Ward Hadaway LLP in November 2024.

At RWK Goodman, members of the ‘client-centred’ practice include Tracy Norris-Evans, who is based in Oxford and is regularly appointed as the professional trustee/deputy in high-value litigation settlements for both adults and children. Bath-based Maria Meek helps clients with severe brain injuries and children with cerebral palsy, while Oxford-based Louise Nettle and Bristol-based Rob Thomas, who joined the team in January 2025 from NewLaw Solicitors, are also recommended. Joy Davies joined the ranks from Hugh James in November 2024. At the London office, Sara Isenberg is a key contact.

Spearheaded by Martin Terrell, the team at Warners Solicitors handles cases of all sizes, often those involving issues relating to welfare benefits, financial limitations, or misused assets. Heather West counts deputyships, applications to the Court of Protection, and Lasting Powers of Attorney to her advisory portfolio. Arshoo Singh is another notable member of the department.

Claire Petts heads up a ‘well-organised’ team at Clyde & Co, which has a wealth of experience in serious medical treatment cases. The group frequently assists some of England’s largest NHS Trusts and privately insured surgeons on applications to the Court of Protection, and is well equipped to advise on issues relating to consent to medical treatment, detention, and restraint. Sam Holden represents various NHS Trusts in complex COP matters.

Angela Sandhal and Philippa Barton co-head the ‘client-focused‘ team at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, which serves clients on the full range of welfare work. It has a special interest in deprivation of liberty and cross-jurisdictional cases. The group has a wealth of experience in multi-party complex and often adversarial welfare disputes, with a keen focus in public law. The department often helps children and young adults who have additional needs in their high-value personal injury cases.

At Fletchers Solicitors, the work of the department derives mainly from settlement awards following complex and high-value personal injury and clinical negligence claims. It has particular experience in claims involving cerebral palsy or significant brain injuries. Kate Edwards and Kayleigh Smith are at the helm; Edwards also manages complex deputyships for high-net-worth older clients, especially where there have been family disputes. Julia Morrill is another name to note.

The majority of Freeths LLP‘s clients have received multi-million pound compensation awards, as a result of a brain injury. It has considerable experience of working with elderly clients too. Under the joint leadership of  Nottingham-based Natasha Molloy and Oxford-based Melanie Williams, the team is skilled at handling complex property and affairs cases.

JMW Solicitors LLP fields a large and specialist team. Most of its focus is on cases deriving from clinical negligence or personal injury claims. It also deals with a large volume of local authority cases, OPG panel work, and financial abuse investigations. Additionally, the group is well placed to handle cross-border and expert witness work. Megan Christie-Copeland supports vulnerable clients with the most profound disabilities, reduced life expectancy, and challenging behaviours. Kiran Vasudeva left the firm and joined Kingsley Napley LLP in June 2025.

Lanyon Bowdler fields a ‘very responsive‘ team in the West Midlands, which continues to attract complex work from across the UK on a range of contentious property and welfare cases. Neil Davies is involved in a significant number of contested applications, and cases challenging the withdrawal of statutory care funding. Lucy Speed often deals with clients who have challenging behaviours.

Ramsdens Solicitors LLP manages the financial affairs of a large number of clients under lasting powers of attorney and deputyships, and handles an array of contentious CoP matters as well. Practice head Natalie Lang is overseeing the burgeoning team of practitioners advising on health and welfare matters. The department is increasingly advising on issues relating to medical treatment, care and residence cases. Veronica Mullins is another key figure, and is a panel deputy.

The ‘approachable and knowledgeable’ team at Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP is well regarded for its expertise in welfare cases. It is regularly instructed to act for incapacitated adults by the Official Solicitor. The partners frequently act as expert witnesses in ongoing personal injury litigation on expected future welfare/COP costs. Additionally, the firm has a focus on the rights and interests of disabled children, adults and their families. Alex Rook, Anne-Marie Irwin and Polly Sweeney collectively head the department.

Natalie Coates now heads the department at Simpson Millar LLP, which is particularly experienced in health and welfare matters. Areas of focus include advising on issues relating to care, residence and on serious medical treatment cases. It frequently works on cases relating to unlawful DoLS, or on community deprivations of liberty. The former head of department, Melanie Varey left the firm in October 2024, and is now working inhouse. Robyn Mayoh joined the practice in February 2025 from Switalskis Solicitors.

TV Edwards Solicitors LLP has a solid reputation for its court of protection work, as well as in other related areas including community care, public law and housing law. Six of its solicitors are Accredited Legal Representatives. Katie Brown is at the helm while Nilufer Ozdemir and Monica Kreel are both recommended as well. Areas of focus include advising on disputed welfare matters, and on non-contentious applications for financial and property affairs deputyships.