Hugh Jones Solicitors

Ariella joined our Court of Protection team in April 2024 as an Associate Solicitor, from Irwin Mitchell where she worked in their Court of Protection department. Ariella qualified in 2019 and is a specialist solicitor in Court of Protection Finance and Property work, her experience includes working with adults and children with complex needs and high value litigation awards, including Protected Persons with pre-settlement litigation claims. In her work, she liaises with Protected Persons, their families and multi-disciplinary teams with regards to  day-to-day income and expenditure, therapeutic input and care packages including directly employed and agency support workers. Her experience includes Management of the sale and purchase of Protected Persons’ properties and property adaptation works to meet their needs, including the instruction of building professionals and architects. Instructing and liaising with investment managers and financial advisors with regards to the management of clients long-term investment portfolios. Before specialising in Court of Protection work, Ariella gained valuable experience in actions against public and private bodies arising from child sexual abuse and acted for clients in applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and advocating on behalf of clients at CICA Tribunal hearings

Catherine is the Head of our Expert Witness Team.  She is a Director of the Hugh Jones Trust Corporation and a Senior Associate Solicitor and has over 13 years’ experience of Court of Protection and Deputyship matters. Catherine has an extensive background in working with clients who have suffered catastrophic injury including serious brain injury as a result of personal injury. Catherine has worked with many clients and their families to manage large damage awards to maximise their rehabilitation and quality of life. Catherine is closely involved with the management of damages both pre and post settlement of the litigation. Catherine works closely with her clients, their families, litigation team and Case Manager to set up care and therapy packages, purchase and adapt properties for her clients and ensure that the damages award is used effectively and in her client’s best interest. Catherine is a specialist solicitor with a great deal of experience in Court of Protection and mental capacity work in which includes: Management of the professional deputyships of a large number of vulnerable people including those who have lost capacity due to catastrophic accidents or birth injury, Advising and drafting all types of Court of Protection applications including those for the appointment of a lay or professional deputy, statutory will applications, gift applications and applications for the discharge of a Protected Party Advising and drafting Personal Injury Trusts Catherine enjoys building professional relationships with clients and their families to ensure she understands their individual needs in order to provide all of the support required of their Deputy/Trustee. Catherine is a full member of STEP

Charlotte is an experienced solicitor, Director and Head of our Private Client team.  She is also a Director of the Hugh Jones Trust Corporation which acts as corporate trustee and executor. Charlotte advises clients on wills and future planning which includes advice on the use of trusts, particularly if the client has concerns about protection of their assets or wishes to provide for someone who may be disabled or unable to manage their own affairs. Charlotte also assists personal representatives and executors in the administration of estates. She is known for her sympathetic approach and works with clients in difficult circumstances to ensure that the administration process is as easy for them as possible. She also specialises in the creations and administration of trusts, particularly family and PI trusts; this might include advising trustees on their duties and the powers available to them, assisting them to comply with increasing regulatory requirements or completing tax returns and trust accounts.                          

Chris is the Head of the Court of Protection team and a Director of Hugh Jones Solicitors in the Court of Protection team. Chris is heavily involved in the  management of deputyships of our clients who lack capacity. He works closely with the team at HJS and other professionals involved in the clients' financial, legal, care and welfare matters. He has much experience in working with brain injured clients and their families to try and ensure their property and affairs are managed as effectively as possible and he also regularly advises family members who are lay deputies, in their duties. He regularly makes all manner of property and affairs  applications to the Court of Protection,  including applications for the appointment of both lay and professional deputies, gift applications, statutory wills and application to vary the authority of the deputy. He also has experience investigating the financial affairs of clients where there have been allegations of financial abuse or misappropriation of funds made against former attorneys or deputies. Chris is experienced in working on a range of complex contested Court of Protection cases including issues surrounding foreign property and jurisdiction, challenges to the validity of Enduring and Lasting Powers of Attorney and challenges to the appointment of and/or removal of deputies. Additionally, Chris also advises on social and healthcare funding disputes for protected parties, including bringing applications for judicial review in the Administrative Court. Chris is a graduate member of the Institute of Legal Executives. Chris has been listed as a 'Rising Star' in the Legal 500 2022 and for the previous 2 years: ‘Christopher Gallagher provides a very high level of service and is very well respected by his peers.’ ‘Chris Gallagher and Hugh Jones genuinely care about our family and take away all of the hassle relating to running a care team. They have also helped us deal with problems with our local healthcare providers and always look for practical solutions to our problems.’ '

David is a Director in the Court of Protection team David has a wide understanding of the Court of Protection and mental capacity law, managing a case load of files that ranges from young children with acquired brain injuries to elderly clients living with dementia. Throughout his varied caseload, David works to assist his clients across a broad range of issues, including: Property and Finance applications; Care funding and benefits claims; Deprivation of Liberty questions; Personal Welfare; and Care proceedings. Other than helping to manage the property and financial affairs of his clients, David also has experience of representing both Applicants and Respondents in contested Court of Protection proceedings, having successfully acted both for and against lay attorneys and deputies under investigation by the Office of the Public Guardian. David also has extensive experience undertaking financial conduct investigations in to both lay and professional attorneys and deputies, accepting instructions from lay clients, the Court of Protection and various Local Authorities in recent years. In addition to his usual caseload, David regularly works with social workers in local authorities across the North West both in a professional capacity and to provide training and guidance on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and The Court of Protection generally. Outside of work, David works with the Manchester Legal Advice Centre, offering free legal advice on capacity and welfare issues in the local community, which culminated in his being nominated for Best Contribution to Pro-Bono by an Individual at the LawWorks Awards 2017.

Liz Hughes  joined Hugh Jones Solicitors when we started in 2013.  She was appointed Managing Director in 2022, following 7 years as the Head of Court of Protection at Hugh Jones Solicitors. As Managing Director, Liz works collaboratively with the firm's management team and board of directors, to run the firm on a day to day basis.  On her appointment Liz said: 'I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to take the firm forward as it enters a new era. The support I’ve received from our employees and clients has been overwhelming and I’m excited to continue to work closely with everyone within the firm’s network to deliver the outstanding work it has become renowned for.' Liz has a national reputation as a specialist solicitor with a great deal of experience in Court of Protection and mental capacity work in which includes: Management of the professional deputyships of a large number of vulnerable people including those who have lost capacity due to traumatic accidents, birth injury, illness or learning disability Advising and drafting all types of Court of Protection applications including those for the appointment of a lay or professional deputy, statutory will applications, gift applications and applications for the discharge of a Protected Party All kinds of contested applications including alleged financial abuse, challenges to deputyship appointments and has represented lay deputies who have exceeded the authority they have under a deputyship order Acting as an expert witness, on the instruction of both defendants or claimants in high value clinical negligence and personal injury litigation. Liz has extensive experience of acting on behalf of claimants who lack capacity in pre-settlement catastrophic injury litigation. This commonly involves the management of interim funds which are used to fund extensive rehabilitation packages, specialist equipment and adapted property purchases. Liz enjoys visiting clients regularly and working closely with their relatives, case managers, carers and others involved in their care. She feels it is important to ensure that clients receive the appropriate level of support whilst remaining independent and confident to make those financial decisions that they are able to make for themselves. Interview with Liz, from Realm Recruit in February 2022 In the Legal 500 2022, Liz is again listed as a 'Next Generation Partner' - client testimonials: 'Elizabeth Hughes is extremely knowledgeable but at the same time approachable and personable.  Elizabeth is pragmatic in her approach and in my experience has always reached the outcome before others have got there' In Legal 500 2021 - client testimonials: ‘Elizabeth Hughes is committed to her clients and strives to provide the best possible service. She is communicative and receptive to suggestions to resolve complex issues, giving possible solutions balanced and fair consideration. Liz is friendly and approachable to her clients and other professionals and will seek advice from her colleagues to ensure that as much information is available when required and the client receives a positive and supportive service.’ ‘Liz Hughes provides robust pragmatic advice and opinions, in a cost-effective and always timely manner.’ ‘Elizabeth Hughes has a very caring nature and is very empathetic.’ In the Legal 500 2020, Liz is acknowledged as a 'Next Generation Lawyer - 'Elizabeth Hughes is recommended by clients as a 'trusted pair of hands' with clients commenting 'Liz Hughes has provided excellent service. She is calm and knowledgeable.'           In Chambers 2022 Liz is ranked in Band 3: 'Elizabeth Hughes is well versed in matters involving substantial foreign property and assets as well as statutory will and gift applications. She has further experience acting as an expert witness. "Elizabeth Hughes is very friendly, professional and approachable."' In Chambers 2021 'Elizabeth Hughes is well versed in matters involving substantial foreign property and assets as well as statutory will and gift applications. She has further experience acting as an expert witness. "She is very helpful and always supportive of the client.' September 2019 - Elizabeth Hughes has also been recognised by Barclays as one of 2019’s Women of Achievement as part of the bank’s Women of the Year initiative. Recent cases in which Liz has been involved.  

mma is a solicitor in our Private Client team, having qualified in November 2021 and joined us in 2022. Emma has  four years’ of Private Client experience before joining us, as a paralegal, trainee solicitor and solicitor in a Tax, Trusts and Estates team. In this time she gained experience of: Wills, Estates, Power of Attorney and Court of Protection deputyship work Working with vulnerable and elderly clients Trust based Wills, Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection applications and accounts relating to estate or deputyships Dealing with Probate Applications and Estates administration Declarations of Trust, Trust Documents and Loan Documents  

Fiona is a Senior Associate Solicitor with years of experience in all aspects of private client work. In addition to her private client work she has used her knowledge together with her understanding of mental capacity to support both lay and professional deputies, helping them make applications to the Court of Protection authorising the creation of Statutory Wills for clients that lack the capacity required to make their own Will. Private Client Work Fiona is a fully qualified TEP practitioner and a current member of the Society for Estate and Trustee Practitioners, which is an international professional body for advisers who specialise, is inheritance and succession planning. She has a detailed understanding of Trust and Estate work. Her main areas of work are; -          Estate administration; which can just be applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration or assisting with the full administration and or attending to large taxable estates. -          Future planning, which include the drafting of Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Advanced Decisions. -          Trust work; whether it be providing advice about entitlements under pre-existing trusts, setting up trusts (such as personal injury trusts, disabled person trust or discretionary trusts) or supporting with the administration of trusts. -          Statutory Wills, Codicils and gift applications on behalf of Deputies. As a member of the Hugh Jones team, she also acts for Deputyship clients. While they may not have capacity to manage their property and finances this does not necessarily mean that they can make decisions effecting the distribution of their estate when they pass away and Fiona is very happy to support these clients and help them demonstrate that they do have the capacity required to decide what they want to happen to their funds on their death (known as ‘testamentary capacity’). Fiona said “I particularly enjoy empowering our deputyship clients, while they may have suffered brain injuries and as a result need additional support in some areas of their life this does not mean that every decision has to be made for them and often they do have the capacity to take control of what should happen to their funds when they pass away. It’s incredibly rewarding to help them consider this decision and it often gives these clients a tremendous sense of control and satisfaction to be able to make a Will setting out who should benefit from their money following their death.  It’s also lovely to see a number of these client’s reflect on who has been able to help and support them during their lifetime and see them reflect this in their Wills, whether it be to family members, charities or support groups.” Over the years Fiona has been able to support many of our deputyship clients; she builds rapport easily and is very experienced at making sure she is liaising with people at a level that they understand, to help them appreciate some of the complexities of putting a Will in place. Supporting Lay and Professional Deputies Fiona has been instructed by many lay and professional deputies to support them in making sometime complex Statutory Will applications to the Court of Protection. She has worked closely with the Official Solicitor to reach amicable conclusions and on occasion has also been recommend by them. Supporting the Community Fiona is involved in various groups that support various facets of the community; she works with groups supporting carers that look after people with complex needs she also works with groups that support the elderly and children and adults with learning difficulties. She regularly attends and gives talks in the community to both health providers and care homes. She enjoys working the community and is often invited to give talks to groups on specialised Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyships.    

Hugh Jones is a nationally recognised leader in his field of Court of Protection and Private Client work.  He has worked in this field for over 30 years and his expertise as a Court of Protection Deputy is such that he now has a very substantial expert witness practice, where he is regularly asked to provide advice and statements on all aspects of Court of Protection practice, costs and mental capacity issues by more than 35 specialist PI and Clinical Negligence firms, nationally. In September 2019, Hugh was awarded the prestigious lifetime achievement award by the judges of the STEP Private Client awards. Hugh Jones Solicitors opened in March 2013. Chambers Legal Directory commented after the move: ‘He retains a significant proportion of his clients and now focuses exclusively on mental incapacity cases.  Commentators describe Jones as ‘an impressive public speaker who can be tough with clients when necessary,’ and he is recommended as a particularly strong advocate.   Clients also emphasised his supportiveness and empathy.’ Hugh was named Manchester Law Society's Partner of the year in 2014. In Chambers 2015 to 2022,  Hugh is named every year in the 'Ranked Lawyer' list as a Band 1 'Leader in the Field', in Court of Protection Property and Affairs work Chambers 2022 'Hugh Jones often acts as a professional deputy for vulnerable adults, frequently advising on financial matters as well as acting as an expert witness. "Hugh Jones has fantastic knowledge and is always ready to think outside the box. He is very down to earth and approachable."' Chambers 2021 'Hugh Jones often acts as a professional deputy for vulnerable adults, frequently advising on financial matters as well as acting as an expert witness. "He is very personable, engaging and informative in his approach. "He is a longstanding expert, an experienced and strong practitioner."'  Chambers 2020: 'Hugh Jones is hailed as "one of the leading Court of Protection financial deputyship lawyers in the UK," known to be "very knowledgeable and pragmatic in his approach to solving problems." He routinely undertakes professional deputyship work on behalf of vulnerable adults, often advising on cases involving applications for statutory wills and complex financial abuse. He is also adept at advising on health and welfare matters.' In the Legal 500 2017 to 2022, Hugh is named as a leading individual In the Legal 500 2019, - Hugh Jones  has a ‘depth of experience that is outstanding; he always ensures that his clients’ capacity is addressed’. In the Legal 500 2020, - 'Practice head Hugh Jones' 'breadth of knowledge and common sense' set him apart from competitors' ‘We have been involved with this firm for over 30 years and Hugh Jones has been nothing less than outstanding. The team supporting him have picked up the baton and have been of the highest quality.’ ‘Hugh Jones is a leader in his field – a great jovial personality with a wealth of knowledge and expertise which he shares with all of his personnel.’ - client testimonials, Legal 500 2021 Hugh is a member of the panel of Deputies appointed by the Court of Protection to manage the affairs of someone who has lost capacity.  Hugh assists many special interest groups for children with learning disabilities and many local and national charities.  He provides help including a large number of Wills for parents of learning disabled children. Hugh is a nationally recognised expert and eminent speaker on all aspects of provisions for the learning disabled, mental incapacity and the Court of Protection. He is a member of: Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) Office of the Public Guardian’s panel of Deputies      

Director

Jill is a Director at Hugh Jones Solicitors, joining the firm in 2022 from Stephensons LLP, where she was a partner and Head of their Court of Protection Team. Jill specialises in all aspects of Property and Finances Court of Protection work and has acted as an Expert Witness on Court of Protection matters in primarily high value personal injury and clinical negligence cases.  Some of these matters have been looked after by Jill for a decade or more. As a Director of the Hugh Jones Trust Corporation, Jill acts as Deputy for clients who have lost capacity and her work includes the management of significant settlements which are used to fund care and therapy packages, specialist equipment and property purchases/ adaptation projects. Jill has a wealth of experience in the following: Expert Witness work and litigation support Applications to the Court of Protection for the appointment of a Deputy, the approval of Gifts, Statutory Wills and for the discharge of a protected party Day to day management of both Deputyships and Trusts Financial management and investment of the settlements Supporting lay Deputies to help them carry out their role Elderly client law Lasting Powers of Attorney Trusts Wills and Probate Jill is also a TEP, a member of Solicitors for the Elderly and a Dementia Friend.  

Kate is a Senior Associate Solicitor and is the firm's expert residential conveyancing solicitor, with over 25 years' experience of all types of residential and other property work. Kate's property work is principally for our Court of Protection clients; advising on sales and purchases and giving advice on all residential property related enquiries; many of our clients are property owners  and they or their Deputy require expert advice which we are able to provide in-house. Kate trained and qualified in London in 1990 and moved to Manchester in 1991 where she worked in the Legal Department at Tameside MBC for three years covering a wide caseload of property related matters. She worked closely with several Housing Associations and Residential Care Providers on various supported housing schemes, after which she moved into private practice with city centre firms, continuing to do a wide range of property work before joining us in 2015. She is very thorough and provides a detailed and comprehensive service.  She is particularly keen to ensure that the client is kept appraised of developments in their case and understands the processes involved in the work Kate is doing for them.

Kirsty joined the Court of Protection Team in June 2021. She initially worked within serious injury litigation which involved acting for those with an acquired brain injury. Kirsty was naturally drawn to Court of Protection work as a result, assisting those lacking financial capacity as a result of acquired brain injury to manage their affairs. Kirsty worked with clients, their families and professional team to improve their quality of life post accident; implementing case management, care/support teams, therapists and arranging for the purchase and adaptation of properties. Kirsty worked in this role before diversifying to spend a number of years focusing solely on welfare related issues, also falling within the jurisdiction of the Court of Protection. This mainly involved close working with the client, their family and professional support network to explore and identify the most suitable care and accommodation options; often assisting clients with learning disability or a progressive cognitive decline condition. This breadth of experience allowed Kirsty to develop a compassionate understanding of the impact that cognitive impairment, in whatever form it transpires, has on the lives and relationships of those affected by issues concerning independent decision making and capacity. Kirsty has over 10 years’ experience as a solicitor and for the past 5 years has specialised solely in Court of Protection work. Kirsty has a great deal of experience working with both clients and their families, assisting with the management of financial and property affairs and promoting independence.

Kirsty is a Senior Associate solicitor in our Court of Protection team and joined the firm in 2017 , completing her training contract with us before qualification as a solicitor. As part of the Court of Protection team, Kirsty’s work includes: Working with the Deputy to manage the financial and property affairs of clients who lack capacity Supporting lay deputies to help them carry out their role, including initial or renewal applications Assisting more senior members of the team with contested Court of Protection matters Kirsty works with clients, their families and any professionals involved to empower the injured person and aim in improving their quality of life with the implementation of care/support teams, therapists and the purchase and adaptation of properties.  

Lashay joined the Private Client team and qualified as a Solicitor in May 2022.  Lashay assists clients in a wide range of matters, including wills, probate and lifetime planning. She enjoys working closely with clients to find the best solutions to their requirements based on their individual circumstances. Prior to joining Hugh Jones Solicitors, Lashay gained over 5 years of valuable experience working at other law firms which specialised in in Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence

Managing Director

Rachel is a Senior Associate Solicitor and a member of the Expert Witness and Court of Protection teams, having trained with the firm and qualified as a solicitor in 2018. As part of the Court of Protection team, Rachel’s experience includes: Working with the Deputy to manage the financial and property affairs of clients who lack capacity Supporting lay deputies to help them carry out their role, including initial or renewal applications Assisting more senior members of the team with contested Court of Protection matters Working with clients, their families and any professionals involved to empower the injured person, improving their quality of life with the implementation of care/support teams, therapists and the purchase and adaptation of properties. Rachel works in the Expert Witness team where she uses her experience to support our 3 experts. Prior to joining Hugh Jones Solicitors, Rachel worked as paralegal within the areas of child abuse and clinical negligence law at several different firms and assisted solicitors on a wide range of complex and high-profile cases.  Rachel gained considerable experience in working for vulnerable clients and enjoys using her skills in assisting those clients who lack mental capacity.

Samantha joined Hugh Jones Solicitors Private Client team in September 2020. Samantha assists clients in a wide range of matters, including probate, lifetime planning and trust administration. She enjoys working closely with clients to find the best solutions to their requirements based on their individual circumstances. Prior to joining Hugh Jones Solicitors Samantha worked at a firm in the East Midlands where she qualified in 2015 and gained valuable experience working on private client matters, assisting clients with Court of Protection applications and managing vulnerable clients’ affairs

Tania is a Senior Associate Solicitor who joined the Hugh Jones Solicitors Private Client Team in 2016 and has over 25 years’ experience of Private Client matters. Tania is a Director of the Hugh Jones Trust Corporation which acts as corporate trustee and executor. Tania assists clients to prepare for their own and their families’ futures, this may include the use of wills, trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney and reflects the individual needs of each client, whether their concerns are about who will receive their estate, protection of vulnerable children after their death, care home fees, inheritance tax or how their affairs will be dealt with if they were to lose the ability to deal with their own finances. Tania has a great deal of experience and a particular interest in probate and the administration of complex estates; she also administers trusts and completes tax returns. Tania is a full member of STEP.