Laura specialises in all aspects of Court of Protection law, with extensive experience in both the health and welfare and property and affairs jurisdictions.
Laura is regularly instructed to act on behalf of the Official Solicitor, local authorities, NHS Trusts, ICBs and family members. She has experience of many aspects of health and welfare law in the Court of Protection, including serious medical treatment, Covid vaccinations, cases involving issues of coercion and control, challenges to contact arrangements, deprivation of liberty and best interests disputes. Laura has dealt with a number of complex cases, which have included disputes surrounding the correct legal framework for detention of an individual lacking capacity and the interplay between the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
Laura also has extensive experience from her previous practice in the practicalities of day-to-day property and affairs management. She is instructed in cases where deputies or attorneys have had their appointments revoked for misconduct, financial abuse cases, disputes surrounding P’s capacity and to advise on the appropriateness of deputyship in individual cases. Laura regularly accepts instructions in financial Court of Protection matters, including contested proceedings involving deputyship appointments and removal of attorneys and deputies.
Deprivation of Liberty and Mental Health Act
Laura accepts instructions from NHS Trusts and ICBs in cases under the Children Act 1989 which involve complex issues around deprivation of liberty under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court. Many of the cases Laura has appeared in have involved an interplay with the Mental Health Act 1983.
Laura has a particular interest in inquests involving residents at care homes and hospitals who are deprived of their liberty under Schedule A1 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
