Doughty Street Chambers

Court of Protection & Mental Health Mediation

Stephen specialises in the allied fields of public & administrative law, housing, mental health (almost solely the Court of Protection), community care & health, and European Convention law.

Called 1991; Middle Temple; mediator since 1998 (ADR Europe & CEDR trained); part-time judicial appointment (Eastern Circuit) since 2006.

Publications of note: Human rights editor of ‘Tottel’s Older Client Law Service’. Co-author of Volume 21 (‘Housing’) of ‘Atkins’ for Lexis Nexis. Contributing author to ‘Supperstone Goudie & Walker on Judicial Review’ (Public Law Remedies chapters). Contributing author to the ‘New Law Journal’. Contributing author to ‘Butterworths Human Rights Online’ service.

He is an experienced advocate before all levels of domestic tribunal including the Administrative Court, High Court, Court of Protection, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. His Convention rights practice concentrates on socio-economic rights and Articles 5 (deprivation of liberty) 6 (fair determination), & 8 (private & family life), together with Article 1 of the First Protocol (property rights). He is experienced in drafting applications to the European Court of Human Rights and in acting for third party interveners in cases raising important issues of law and practice.

In addition he has a long standing practice in dispute resolution which concentrates on those same areas of law. Whilst much of his work is for individuals, both publicly and privately funded, he also regularly undertakes advisory, litigation and dispute resolution work for commercial and voluntary/NfP organisations, central and local government, social landlords and trades unions. This client group values his combination of legal specialism, commercial acumen, clear advice, tenacious advocacy and client-centred service.

Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA); Housing Law Practitioners Association (HLPA); Human Rights Lawyers Association (HRLA).

The Thomas Sumpter School; John Leggot College, South Bank (1987 LLB (Hons)).

Large books, long drinks, electric guitars.