The ‘very able’ team at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP delivers tailored financial deputy and welfare services to over 200 clients. Practice head Donna Holmes is a panel deputy and acts as a deputy for over 180 people who lack capacity. Holmes is experienced in creating and administering personal injury trusts, and has a strong focus on deputyships for people who have suffered an injury. Increasingly, the team is appointed as interim panel deputy as part of ongoing proceedings, where investigations are required into the past dealings of potentially abusive attorneys or deputies. Douglas Houghton acts as a deputy for over 50 clients whose needs range from benefits management and payment of care home fees, through to the management of high-value personal injury awards.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Both of the individuals we work with are very personable and approachable so I am always comfortable when I need to speak to them.’

  • ‘Excellent ability to understand and take time.'

  • 'Highly personal services delivered within the company structure giving peace of mind of a corporate organisation with a caring approach to the needs of its clients.’

  • ‘Professional, caring, understanding of individual needs. Donna Holmes is particularly attentive, as is Douglas Houghton.’

  • ‘A great team of professional and personable individuals who share a knowledge and enthusiasm for the area of law.’

  • ‘Puja Desai is a gifted professional who is not only an expert in her field but receptive to her clients wishes and feelings, practising in a personal and often highly emotive area of law.’

  • ‘I have always found the team incredibly knowledgeable and hard working, representing their clients' interests fully.’

  • ‘Rebekah Sambrooks from the Birmingham office is very experienced in Court of Protection and works very hard for clients. Briefs are always well prepared and she is very responsive to queries.’

Work highlights

  • Acted for MS, a wealthy lady whose wealth came primarily from her husband's family company, in completing a statutory Will to ensure the family company remained with her late husband's family and protected them whilst making appropriate provision for her distant cousins and intestate beneficiaries.
  • Represented LM in securing the return of his son to live with him at home after successfully supporting LM to evidence his safeguarding concerns and after a severe injury was sustained by his son, ensuring that LM now has his son in his safekeeping at home with an appropriate package of care.
  • Supported DH, a client with limited funds and income, by making robust and creative representations regarding his disability-related expenditure which has enabled a greater quality of life through the variety of activities they are able to participate in, by reducing their contributions to direct 'care' costs.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Donna Holmes

Other key lawyers

Douglas Houghton, Puja Desai, Rebekah Sambrooks