Court of Protection: Health & Welfare
UK Bar Guide 2025 : All Circuits
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7404 1313Chambers Review
Doughty Street Chambers is highly regarded for its "very broad range of expertise" in health and welfare matters, and houses a strong bench of barristers experienced in the handling of cases affecting incapacitated adults and children. Members are regularly instructed in deprivation of liberty and serious medical treatment cases, as well as disputes concerning capacity to consent to sexual relations and forced marriages. The set's expertise in this area is complemented by its recognised strengths in human rights, housing and community care law, and its barristers frequently appear in landmark cases before the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. The tenants have experience acting on behalf of incapable individuals and their family members, as well as local authorities and health authorities. Recently members have appeared in Sutherland City Council v Macpherson, a case concerned with a mother uploading videos of her child to YouTube in breach of court orders.
Sian Wilkins is the senior clerk.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The clerks are always quick to respond and help with anything they can."
"The clerks are incredibly responsive and alert to the often urgent nature of proceedings."
"The clerks are always quick to respond and help with anything they can."
"The clerks are incredibly responsive and alert to the often urgent nature of proceedings."
Notable Practitioners
Sophy Miles was one of the leading national solicitors handling Court of Protection work before her move to the Bar in 2015. She is an expert on all health and welfare matters and contributes to many of the leading texts in the area. She is routinely instructed by individuals and statutory bodies, as well as the Official Solicitor.
"Sophy is very approachable, thorough and practical."
"Sophy Miles is incredibly impressive in terms of how quick she is."
Ulele Burnham has a broad practice covering the law relating to mental capacity and mental health. She is also an expert in unlawful detention cases. She has a particular interest in the potential application of the Equality Act 2010 in the context of domestic Court of Protection law.
"Ulele is an incredible advocate and is considered to be one of the 'original' counsel in the Court of Protection. This is evident in her skill and experience."
"Ulele has often given practical advice at short notice in very difficult situations."
Aswini Weereratne KC acts for all parties in the Court of Protection, including the Official Solicitor, and is renowned for her work in complex cases concerning human rights, mental health and capacity. She is well versed in matters concerning the overlap between the Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act and is a noted deprivation of liberty expert.
"Aswini is extremely good to work with, very fair and very approachable."
"She is very good strategically and has a very clear sense of direction."
Oliver Lewis is an experienced junior with a recognised expertise in mental health and international disability law. He is regularly instructed to act on behalf of public bodies, family members and the Official Solicitor.
"Oliver is brilliant to work with and knows the law inside-out."
"Oliver is always prepared to make time for clients, or to provide advice and support to solicitors. You always feel better with Oliver on your side."
"Oliver is patient and able to simplify complex issues and procedures."
Stephen Reeder is a well-known specialist in welfare cases who is adept at handling health and welfare matters. He is instructed by a broad range of clients, including healthcare bodies, families and the Official Solicitor.
"Stephen is very popular with clients."
"Stephen is a very careful and considered lawyer looking to get the best outcome."
Gemma Daly is developing an impressive Court of Protection practice spanning a wide range of health and welfare matters. She acts on cases concerning residence and care as well as COVID-19 vaccinations.
"Gemma is reliable, detailed and always provides practical advice."
"Gemma has a softer approach that helps the cases progress; she is very collaborative."
"She is very thorough, experienced, intelligent and a pleasure to work with."
"Gemma is very passionate about the area and truly excellent in court. She has thorough drafting and is a robust advocate."
Mary-Rachel McCabe has a growing profile within both Community Care and Court of Protection. She frequently acts for protected parties in relation to their residence and care arrangements. An increasingly large proportion of her work is on behalf of the Official Solicitor.
"Mary-Rachel gives each case real attention and importance and is realistic, practical and really fun to work with."
"Mary-Rachel is a rising star in the Court of Protection. Her preparation and written work are meticulous."
Tom Stoate is an experienced junior in the field of health and welfare. He is particularly proficient at handling cases concerning deprivation of liberty and care issues.
"Tom is very calm, very helpful and can filter through information quickly and pick out the relevant facts."