Region Area

Lawyers

Nicholas O"Brien

Nicholas O"Brien

Work Department

Adult and social care, children and international.

Position

Nick has an established reputation in both the fields of child and adult protection. He represents local authorities and family members and is regularly instructed on behalf of children through their children’s guardians and adults through the Official Solicitor.

Nick has a wealth of experience in adult protection in particular Court of Protection (welfare, deprivations of liberty, appointment and discharge of deputies, lasting powers of attorney) work.

In care proceedings and secure accommodation Nick is instructed at all levels of court  for local authorities, parents and relatives, interveners and children, special guardians.

In private law children cases Nick specialises in adoption including adoption breakdown and cancellation of placements.

Nick also undertakes child abduction cases and Judicial review including claimant and defendant work arising from social services decision making in particular decisions relating to fostering and adoption,  children in need, adult care, accommodation, charging policies and community care assessments,

Nick is mainly based in the SE of England but advises and represents clients throughout England and Wales. He trains social workers on court skills and lectures on Court of Protection and care and adoption issues to local authority lawyers.

Career

Called 1985.

Memberships

Administrative Law Bar Association Association o lawyers for Children Family Law Bar Association Middle Temple

Education

Law Degree – Oxford (1983) Bar Finals – (1985)