Lucy Nicol and Yogi Amin co-head the team at Irwin Mitchell, which 'has a strong range of experience within Court of Protection matters ensuring that vulnerable clients and their families are afforded excellent legal representation’. The large and established team supports in excess of 1,500 clients nationwide, and has over 1,250 deputyships. Its expertise includes advising on the full array of complex welfare disputes, deprivation of liberty safeguarding cases, and serious medical treatment cases. The group also acts as professional deputy or trustee on many high-value cases, and manages in excess of £1.5bn of protected parties’ assets. Angela Jackman KC is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor and statutory advocates to represent vulnerable patients. Damian Hodkinson works closely with the firm’s personal injury and medical negligence teams to help with managing interim payments for clients. Oliver Studdert is recommended for his health and welfare Court of Protection work. Louisa Chadwick was promoted to the partnership in March 2023.

The ‘excellent’ team at Thomson Snell & Passmore is noteworthy for its’ long and deep experience of looking after the most vulnerable clients in the most difficult situations. It is the national leader in this field.’ Led by the ‘legendary’ Brian Bacon, it acts as professional deputy and trustee in approximately 240 cases with an estimated value of over £350m in assets. The group is renowned for its work in property and affairs cases, especially with high-value catastrophic injury claims. It continually advises on capacity issues, and is frequently called upon to act as expert witnesses. In addition, the group deals with numerous high-value personal injury trusts where the partners act as trustees. Rosie Hamlyn has a keen focus on clients who have been involved in catastrophic accidents. Catherine Fuller regularly helps individuals who have severe brain injuries and other medical conditions. The team added to the ranks at partner level with the recruitment of Mea North from Moore Barlow in May 2023. Claire Busuttil also joined the firm from Mayo Wynne Baxter LLP in February 2024.

There are ‘brilliant partners’ at Withers LLP who are ‘backed by top-quality associates and trainees. Everyone at Withers is intelligent and personable.’ Stephen Richards and Julia Abrey co-head the ‘excellent team’, which acts for the families and appointed representatives of older and vulnerable people. It regularly acts for trustees, executors, charities, and other professional groups. In addition, the team is recommended for its work on disabled trusts, and for its advice on advance decisions to refuse medical treatment. The team has particular strength in advising on cross-border mental capacity issues. Natasha Stourton is another known name for her advice on a broad array of Court of Protection matters, such as lifetime gifts, statutory wills, and powers of attorney. Alice Tomlin acts for charities, private individuals, and institutions on all aspects of contentious trust and succession disputes, with a particular focus on Court of Protection matters. Paul Hewitt is another leading name in the department.

The ‘very able’ team at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP delivers tailored financial deputy and welfare services to over 200 clients. Practice head Donna Holmes is a panel deputy and acts as a deputy for over 180 people who lack capacity. Holmes is experienced in creating and administering personal injury trusts, and has a strong focus on deputyships for people who have suffered an injury. Increasingly, the team is appointed as interim panel deputy as part of ongoing proceedings, where investigations are required into the past dealings of potentially abusive attorneys or deputies. Douglas Houghton acts as a deputy for over 50 clients whose needs range from benefits management and payment of care home fees, through to the management of high-value personal injury awards.

‘The CoP team’ at Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP 'is highly dedicated to securing excellent outcomes for their vulnerable clients’. The group is also praised for how it, ‘works extremely hard to explore all possible avenues and leaves no stone unturned’. David Wedgwood takes on both welfare and financial-related litigation in the Court of Protection. He receives referrals from the Official Solicitor, local authorities, and other lawyers. Alexandra Knipe has carved out a niche in providing Court of Protection litigation support services to numerous high-profile personal injury and clinical negligence litigators. Emma Tante also has a wealth of Court of Protection experience. The group also focuses on the international protection of individuals who lack mental capacity. It administers substantial funds, often from personal injury claims, mainly for clients who have sustained brain injuries.

At Bindmans LLP, there is a ‘great mix of professionalism and high standards with a friendly working relationship style’. Practice head Laura Hobey-Hamsher is ‘superb at setting clients at ease’. She covers a broad range of welfare, property, and affairs-related mandates, as well as serious medical treatment cases. In addition, she has developed a niche practice acting on behalf of high-profile individuals, and in cases with a cross-border element. She also has a wealth of experience in cases where there have been allegations of serious physical, sexual, and/or financial abuse. The team frequently acts for vulnerable adults, as well as those who are acting in their best interests. It receives a steady flow of instructions from the Official Solicitor too. Will Whitaker and Emma Varley are both recommended.

The team at Boyes Turner ‘know their clients extremely well, and work efficiently as a team’. Ruth Meyer heads the practice, which specialises in managing the property and affairs of high-net-worth individuals who lack capacity to do so themselves, whether they be children, adult or elderly clients. The majority of its clients have substantial claims for personal injury or clinical negligence compensation. As well as professional deputyships, the group is regularly asked to support lay deputy applications. It has further diversified into the areas of community care, and health and welfare matters. Alexander Wright regularly acts as a professional deputy for property and affairs, and works principally with clients who have suffered injuries at birth with lifelong care needs and multi-million pound settlements.

The ‘experienced’ team at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP has ‘particular expertise in dealing with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth cases’. The full-service Court of Protection team is an integral part of the firm’s wider private wealth practice. The group frequently acts on complex multi-jurisdictional disputes. Suzanne Marriott garners a lot of praise; she is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly, and the STEP special interest group on mental capacity, as is Sally Ashford. Marriott often acts as trustee, executor, deputy, attorney, and charitable trustee for many well-known clients, and is often appointed by the Court in these roles where there are disputes. Ashford frequently advises on deputyship matters, statutory will applications, and other complex capacity issues.

The ‘experienced team’ at Clarke Willmott LLP is ‘sensible and pragmatic, delivering good outcomes’. Practice heads Anthony Fairweather and Anne Minihane are panel deputies. Fairweather specialises in extremely challenging deputyships, and also handles a range of cases involving complex, high-value financial arrangements, often with a cross-border dimension. Minihane acts as a deputy for those who have suffered brain injuries and strokes, had a diagnosis of dementia, or who have learning difficulties, as well as those with psychiatric illnesses. Claire Johnson joined the team in July 2023 from TLT. Johnson frequently supports on statutory will and gifting applications, particularly in relation to incapacitated business owners.

Paul McGough heads a ‘responsive team’ at DAC Beachcroft LLP, which is one of the leading Court of Protection advisors to the health and social care sector. The large and specialist team has considerable expertise in areas as diverse as adult safeguarding, and on the complex legal framework covering mental capacity, mental health, and deprivation of liberty. It continues to be instructed in a number of high-profile matters. 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. These matters are often especially complex cases relating to serious medical treatment and multi-agency safeguarding issues. Gill Weatherill is another key figure, and Jemma Gillson was promoted to the partnership in May 2024.

Enable Law has an ‘excellent reputation‘. It provides a ‘personal service and really makes an effort to get to know the client and support them in achieving its goals and ambitions’. With Plymouth-based Stacey Bryant at the helm, it has a particular specialism in personal injury and clinical negligence matters. Bryant has extensive experience of supporting clients who lack capacity following a traumatic acquired injury. Alison McClure, who is based at the firm’s Southampton office, has a particular focus on mental capacity and Court of Protection work. She works with clients and the families of clients who are no longer able to manage their own property and affairs. The group also offers a growing specialism in other areas, such as elder law.

The team at Hill Dickinson LLP has a ‘national presence' and 'they are instructed by a significant number of NHS Trusts and are frequently involved in high-profile litigation.’ Under the collective leadership of Kiran Bhogal, Sharon Thomas, and Paul Allerston, it regularly advises on all matters concerning the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It is trusted for its expertise in handling complex and challenging medical treatment cases. These cases often relate to issues such as the provision or withdrawal of treatment, delayed discharges, NHS Continuing Healthcare challenges, or DoLS challenges. Bhogal also has expertise in advising on judicial review challenges to funding and commissioning decisions. In Liverpool,  Joanna Crichton is another key member of the healthcare and public law team. Ben Troke is now at Weightmans LLP.

Hugh James 'builds a strong and sympathetic relationship with the lay client'. It has seen further significant growth with the arrival of Christine Bunting and Kelly Knight from Hyphen Law in February 2024. Tom Hall spearheads the department which now has experienced teams in Cardiff, Manchester, London, and Swindon. It is a large team, which manages approximately 350 deputyships and 100 personal injury trusts. The overall value of assets under management by the department is in excess of £500m. The group is adept at helping on all matters relating to a client’s property and financial affairs, as well as health and welfare matters. Manchester-based Gregory Poole is highly regarded, and Charlotte Fletcher is another name to note.

Jane Bennett leads the ‘friendly and attentive’ team at JE Bennett Law, which is praised for ‘keeping things as simple and straightforward as possible when explaining sometimes complicated scenarios’. The dedicated team helps physically and/or mentally vulnerable clients and their families. Their injuries are often acquired as a result of catastrophic accidents, clinical negligence, disease, or dementia. In addition, Bennett’s expert witness practice has continued to grow. Also recommended is Richard Shearing, who now handles in excess of 50 deputyship clients. The ‘very supportive’ Ian Macara is a panel deputy. Jemma Cahan works with clients who have sustained serious brain injuries as a result of catastrophic accidents or birth trauma. These clients often have received substantial damages. Lorna Halfpenny-Beeby and Amy Paxton are also key contacts.

The team at Kingsley Napley LLP 'is adept at handling a range of Court of Protection disputes, often under high pressure, with skill and a deft touch’. Clients also note that ‘they have great all round vision on how an application may play out’. Its primary focus is on assisting clients with matters pertaining to property and affairs, and it now also extends to health and welfare. The group has a case load of over 160 regular deputyships and trusteeships. Practice head Simon Hardy has substantial experience of dealing with complex cerebral palsy and brain injury cases. He also frequently advises on statutory wills and gift applications. Other key names include Anita Gill, Ryan Mowat, and Jemma Garside.

‘The entire team’ at Miles & Partners LLP ‘is efficient, hardworking, thorough, and meticulous’. It is ably co-led by Rachel Turner and Floyd Porter. Its specialist mental capacity and mental health law team regularly helps in cases involving capacity and best interests of vulnerable adults. The team assists these individuals who are unable to make fundamental health and welfare decisions themselves. It is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor, Relevant Person’s Representatives, and relatives. The group is particularly experienced in challenging detentions in hospital under the Mental Health Act. Andrew Bowmer’s knowledge of Court of Protection, housing, and community care law enables him to help clients with complex needs.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP ‘offers a very personal approach to all clients' and 'they deal with matters efficiently and effectively’. The team acts as professional deputy or trustee for individuals with significant damages following clinical negligence or personal injury claims. It has considerable cross-border expertise. Clients include those with acquired brain injuries across the UK and internationally. Practice head Daniel Toop specialises in complex property and financial affairs matters. Consultant Julie Burton acts as a professional deputy for many clients, including both children and adults who have suffered complex brain injuries as a result of personal injury, and have received a substantial compensation award. Grace Serwanga also acts for clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries.

The lawyers at Rothley Law Limited ‘prioritise their clients’ needs and tailor their services to meet the specific requirements needed for each individual case’. It continues to manage almost 150 matters across ongoing deputyships, personal injury trusts, and LPAs. It has a growing caseload of contentious COP applications, and detailed authority applications, as well as statutory wills and trustee matters. Practice head Lucy Taylor acts as a professional deputy for property and affairs for clients who lack mental capacity by reason of a catastrophic injury or severe mental health difficulties. Rebecca Bristow has a special interest in children and young adults who have suffered catastrophic brain injuries either due to medical negligence or road traffic incidents.

Gareth Ledsham and Rita Bhargava jointly head the practice at Russell-Cooke LLP, which has ‘great depth of knowledge and is always sensitive to their client’s needs'. The team is also 'well equipped to handle cases with cross-border issues’. The group has considerable experience in advising clients on both contentious and non-contentious Court of Protection matters. It is well equipped to deal with matters spanning both property and finance, as well as health and welfare. The team is recommended for its help to incapacitated clients on decisions involving the use of technology and social media, as well as advising those who own cryptocurrency or digital assets. Vanessa Collins joined the team in November 2023 from Sinclairslaw.

Weightmans LLP fields ‘a team of robust, pragmatic and ruthlessly efficient lawyers’ which ’makes them well placed to represent public authorities across the country’. The practice is ‘well-known for its efficient and pragmatic advice‘, and deals with a wide range of health and welfare, and property and financial affairs-related matters. It acts for a large number of local authorities and NHS Trusts, as well as private health and social care providers. Ben Troke, who joined the team from Hill Dickinson LLP in October 2023, Simon Goacher, Richard Jolly, Richard Bate, and Sarah Louise Walker all head the department. Morris Hill is another key member of the department.

At Wrigleys Solicitors LLP, ‘from the moment they meet the client through the litigation process and beyond, they offer a high-quality service'. The specialist team helps clients who are under the jurisdiction of the Court of Protection dealing with all aspects of property and affairs. It also provides advice on community care, and other areas relating to property and employment matters. The current assets the group is managing for injured clients is worth £400m, including 143 deputyship clients. Debbie Davies heads the team alongside the ‘excellent’ Jane Netting. Charlotte Dyson is recommended for her experience across a wide range of complex property and affairs matters.

Under the leadership of Adrian Mundell, Ashtons Legal fields a ‘very down-to-earth team’. It specialises in acting for clients who have suffered a catastrophic acquired or birth-related brain injury, where the clients have either received a damages award or where a claim is ongoing. Around 10% of its work is for elderly clients, and those with mental health problems. Debbie Holmes was promoted to the partnership in October 2023.

The specialist team at Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors is led by Lesley-Ann Mayhew. Mayhew has a particular specialism in cases involving multi-million pound damages for claimants of medical negligence. The practice is increasingly attracting referrals from injury lawyers who do not have in-house Court of Protection teams, as well as large established Court of Protection teams who have a conflict. Another growth area is helping a party on an application where independent legal advice is needed.

Tim Hodgetts, Simon Lindsay, and Hannah Taylor collectively lead a ‘professional and knowledgeable’ team at Bevan Brittan LLP. It is renowned for its work supporting public and independent sector health and care organisations, both providers and commissioners. Its client base covers the NHS, local authorities, the housing sector, and charities. Other major clients include independent and third sector organisations. In team news, Amrita Hurst joined from Bates Wells in July 2023, and Amanda Wright-Kluger joined from Browne Jacobson LLP in September 2023. Susan Trigg is now at DAC Beachcroft LLP.

The team, which is led by Francesca Gabbitas, moved from Abbotstone Law to Dovestone Law in 2023. The specialist Court of Protection group frequently acts for clients where there is a crossover between mental capacity and complex mental health issues. It regularly appears in court on complicated and significant health and welfare matters. Kate Luscombe often advises clients who are deprived of their liberty, and on human rights issues. Andrea Spyrou is another key figure in the group.

The team at Edwards Duthie Shamash is ‘consistently excellent with a sharp and diligent eye for detail’. With Melissa Law at the helm, it 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, and also represents family members. Laura Mannering and Kris Jackson-Hughes both receive many plaudits for their work in this area.

EMG Solicitors has been described as a ‘leading Court of Protection firm in the North’. It is also lauded for its ‘very strong partners who really know their stuff, and strong associates who work well as a team’. The group is co-led by Jemma Morland and Eilish Ferry-Kennington, and acts in a large number of high-net-worth professional deputyship cases. Many of its clients have sustained complex catastrophic injuries, and have received a large compensation award. Emma Gaudern is regularly instructed in high-profile cases for both claimants and defendants nationally, and as an expert witness in Court of Protection matters. Rebecca Sparrow joined the firm in January 2024 from Moore Barlow.

The specialist team at Fieldfisher focuses on high-value and complex property and affairs deputyships for adults and children across the country. These clients have sustained life-changing catastrophic injuries as a result of serious accidents and birth trauma. On a capitalised basis, it is currently managing in excess of £350m of client funds and other assets. Practice head Anna Bond, and Robin Tubbs, who was promoted to the partnership in April 2024, are both well-regarded.

Christopher Poxamatis at Gillhams Solicitors LLP acts as a property and affairs deputy for a significant number of clients. Due to his experience as a panel deputy, he has a wealth of experience in managing the affairs of mentally incapacitated clients in London and across England. Shareen Tanvir, who was promoted to the partnership in June 2023, is recommended for her work on both property and affairs, as well as health and welfare matters.

Hodge Jones & Allen is well-equipped to deal with complex cases involving financial exploitation and disputes. It has also taken over deputyships from other firms due to the breakdown in the relationship between the client and the deputy. The ‘well-regarded’ Christine Dyson specialises in acting as deputy for people who have suffered catastrophic injuries. Patrick Allen is another key contact, while Sarah Charnley joined the firm in July 2023 from Fletchers Solicitors.

The Human Rights department at Leigh Day includes a specialist Court of Protection team, which has an established practice in best interest cases. The health and welfare group works on diverse issues ranging from the withdrawal of treatment to issues relating to residence, care, and contact. It receives regular referrals from the Official Solicitor. The property and affairs offering works closely with the firm’s personal injury and clinical negligence departments. Anna Moore and Amy Chater are the practice heads.

Spearheaded by Jill Mason and Neil Ward, the large team at Mills & Reeve LLP acts for NHS trusts, ICBs, and independent sector providers. Work ranges from urgent out-of-hours applications to routine Court of Protection challenges to DoLS. It advises on High Court inherent jurisdiction cases for children, and Court of Protection matters for adults. The cases it works on are frequently complex, involving multiple parties and life-changing decisions, such as where patients should live, or issues relating to medical treatment.

‘Adept at handling the complex cases’, MJC Law helps vulnerable clients on issues such as where they should live, how they should be cared for, and consenting to sexual relations. It is also skilled at advising on advance decisions and best interests issues. In addition, it represents other interested parties in Court of Protection proceedings, and has been asked to be expert witnesses on Court of Protection issues in personal injury cases. Conor Maguire, Kate Jackson, and Lauren Crow are the practice heads.

The ‘friendly and professional’ team at Simpson Millar LLP is ably led by Melanie Varey. It remains a firm of choice for professional litigation friends, families, and lay deputies on a wide variety of Court of Protection matters. It is experienced in the full range of matters, including health and welfare, and property and affairs. Caroline Hurst has been involved in a number of high-profile cases, while Aimee Last specialises in contested Court of Protection disputed welfare decisions.

The ‘collaborative’ team  at Switalskis Solicitors ‘works efficiently and diligently to achieve the best possible outcome for each of its clients’. The team is renowned for its skill at advising on complex mental capacity issues and welfare cases. It also deftly covers deprivation of liberty and community care challenges.  In addition, it receives a regular flow of instructions from the Official Solicitor. Alison Kaye heads the practice. Michael Kennedy is also highly regarded.

The ‘highly regarded’ Martin Terrell heads the team at Warners Solicitors, which deals with a significant amount of deputyship work, as well as complex mental capacity and Court of Protection-related issues. It covers the full range of contentious and non-contentious deputyship matters. The group advises clients ranging from wealthy individuals to those on benefits, as well as covering panel cases following family disputes and financial abuse. Arshoo Singh joined the practice from Weightmans LLP in September 2023.

The nationwide team at Duncan Lewis Solicitors is well-equipped to handle the full range of Court of Protection matters, including health and welfare, in addition to property and affairs. It is skilled at representing vulnerable clients and their families in disputes pertaining to mental health and best interest welfare decisions. Angela Sandhal co-heads the practice with Philippa Barton. Barton joined the team in April 2023 from Andrew Isaacs Law. Gillian Alysia de Freitas, who was the former co-head of the department, left the firm in March 2023 and is now at Fieldfisher.

At Fletchers Solicitors, the Court of Protection department offers services from its Southport, Manchester, and Leeds offices to clients across all areas of England and Wales. There are currently approximately 150 matters under management split between deputyship matters and trusteeships. The work of the department derives mainly from settlement awards following complex and high-value personal injury and clinical negligence claims, particularly involving cerebral palsy or significant brain injuries. Kate Edwards is the practice head. Julia Morrill is also recommended.

Spearheaded by Natasha Molloy and Melanie Williams, Freeths LLP has a solid reputation for its work with clients who have sustained brain injuries and subsequently received multi-million pound compensation awards. It advises on an array of complex property and affairs cases. The group is also skilled at advising on welfare decisions, and applying to the Court of Protection for welfare orders. In addition, the practice has considerable experience in working with elderly clients.

JMW Solicitors LLP has a large and specialist team which handles all types of deputyship cases. It regularly works on a large volume of local authority cases, panel matters, and cross-border issues. In addition, it receives a steady flow of  expert witness work for both claimants and defendants. The group is often called upon by the Court, OPG, and other clients (including over 65 local authorities) to advise on a broad array of matters. Megan Christie-Copeland and Kiran Vasudeva jointly head the practice.

Neil Davies heads the team at Lanyon Bowdler, which is praised for its ‘hardworking attitude, and for being approachable and kind’. It continues to attract complex work across the UK with a range of contentious property and welfare cases. The department manages approximately 60 deputyships and trusts with assets in excess of £120m. Lucy Speed has particular skills in dealing with clients who have significant disinhibition and challenging behaviours.

Macfarlanes LLP excels in advising on capacity issues in high-value and complex disputes for high-net-worth families and individuals. Other key clients include trustees and family offices. It regularly covers disputes where there are large trusts and estates, and those with a significant cross-border dimension. With Charles Lloyd at the helm, it often advises on issues such as Court of Protection applications, the cross-border recognition of deputyships, and other areas such as forgery claims. Elizabeth Doherty is another key contact.

The agile team at RWK Goodman is frequently sought after to act as professional deputy for new clients, as well as being instructed to replace other professional deputies. It currently holds over £300m in client assets and manages approximately 100 files with the firm’s trust corporation. The team regularly works with incapacitated clients in clinical negligence and personal injury litigation. These cases are often high-value and have a cross-border dimension. Tracy Norris-Evans, Maria Meek, Louise Nettle, and Sara Isenberg collectively head the department.

The experienced Court of Protection team at TV Edwards Solicitors LLP sits within the firm's large social welfare and public law department. The group represents those making applications to the Court of Protection, as well as other parties to the proceedings and family members. The COP practice is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor on behalf of a protected party, as well as by advocates and RPRs. Under the leadership of Katie Brown, it is well placed to cover all forms of COP law.

Ward Hadaway LLP regularly advises on issues relating to welfare and treatment disputes, and cases under the Mental Capacity Act. It receives a steady flow of instructions on challenges to deprivation of liberty. The group has recently been involved in a number of multi-party and complex placement and treatment disputes involving vulnerable adults. Practice head Lisa Evans continues to be involved in a number of mental health, capacity and deprivation of liberty cases.