St John's Buildings

Court of Protection

Hannah is a Court of Protection specialist.

Hannah’s instructions span a broad spectrum of issues and she has advised on cases concerning fluctuating, retrospective and mixed capacity, covert medication regimes, the validity of Lasting Powers of Attorney, obligations of local authorities under the Care Act 2014, use of restraint, and the interaction between P’s Article 5 and Article 8 Rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. Her experience of proceedings under section 21A of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 is expansive and built on a number of years of practise, both at the Bar and prior and she has acted in complex cases such as those concerning the transfer of P to another country, forced marriage and capacity to marry, excessive alcohol consumption and substance misuse and the intersection between the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Mental Health Act 1983.

Hannah advises generally, both in writing and in conference. Hannah turns around opinions, statements of facts and grounds and court ordered documents quickly and within required time limits. Her written work is focused and demonstrates a thorough understanding of her cases, the applicable law and the needs of her clients.

Hannah’s experience prior to coming to the Bar and her time in pupillage exposed her to the craft of focus cross-examination and submissions. Drawing on this in her own practice, Hannah has represented P in a fact-finding hearing concerning allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour, at contested final hearings involving the cross-examination of social care professionals and in cross-examination of expert witnesses.

Hannah has experience of challenging decisions of public bodies by way of judicial review applications and is fast developing a reputation as an expert in the field of adult social care (duties under the Care Act 2014) and also duties in relation to children leaving care.

Hannah’s reputation as a specialist in Court of Protection health and welfare proceedings is enhanced by her lecturing at conference and facilitating training for solicitors in her field. She has a particular interest in ensuring that the best interests of those living with dementia are maximised within Court of Protection proceedings and works with local organisations to achieve this.

As Joseph O’Brien KC’s pupil, Hannah observed a number of complex cases including those concerning P’s capacity to use the internet and social media, capacity to marry and the issue of forced marriage and capacity to engage in sexual relations. These cases were often determined at fact finding hearings and involved detailed cross examination of expert witnesses.

Hannah was called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn in 2017, and joined Chambers as a tenant in October 2022 following the successful completion of her pupillage under the supervision of Joseph O’Brien KC.

Prior to commencing pupillage, Hannah worked as a paralegal in the public law and human rights department of a large national law firm where she gained comprehensive experience of (and a great passion for) Court of Protection proceedings. Hannah also assisted in a broad range of judicial review proceedings, including those concerning medical treatment and changes to social care provision, but most frequently in cases with a health and social care component.

Hannah has also worked as a prison lawyer, where she represented clients at prison adjudications and before the Parole Board.

Lincoln’s Inn Court of Protection Bar Association Constitutional and Administrative Bar Association Young Legal Aid Lawyers

BPTC (Very Competent), BPP LLM (Distinction), University of Nottingham LLB (2:1), University of Nottingham