Michael Kennedy
Switalskis SolicitorsThe ‘collaborative’ team at Switalskis Solicitors ’works efficiently and diligently to achieve the best possible outcome for each of its clients’. The team is renowned for its skill at advising on complex mental capacity issues and welfare cases. It also deftly covers deprivation of liberty and community care challenges. In addition, it receives a regular flow of instructions from the Official Solicitor. Alison Kaye heads the practice. Michael Kennedy is also highly regarded.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Switalskis are an extremely impressive, premier firm. They attract instructions in the most complex and interesting Court of Protection cases including serious medical treatment and deprivation of liberty cases. They work and communicate effectively within their own team.'
‘Michael Kennedy is extremely knowledgeable both on the law and procedure relevant to the Court of Protection. He is friendly, approachable and readily available to speak if urgent matters arise in his cases. His advice is always accurate and he is tactically astute.'
‘Michael Kennedy has a lovely manner with both clients and counsel. He is pragmatic in his approach and fights hard for his clients. His is always well prepared and this shows in his advice to the official solicitor which is always clear, concise and well reasoned.'
‘Danielle Smithhurst is brilliant with the client showing empathy and respect, and acts with professionalism at all times. Danielle is knowledgeable, a really good communicator. She impresses me with her unwavering attitude towards upholding the rights of the individual.’
‘Alison Kaye stands out as a hugely committed partner with strong leadership skills and dynamism.’
‘Michael Kennedy's expertise across Court of Protection and community care law is staggering, and his personable, relatively informal approach creates an environment where clients feel able to engage and express their views even in the most tricky cases. His advocacy is equally brilliant, calm, and reassuring.'
‘Robyn Mayoh is excellent with lay clients. She is able to deliver complex and evolving information in a clear and effective way, whilst putting clients at ease in the midst of a stressful situation.'
- 'Alison Kaye, Nichola Burridge-Todd, and Danielle Smithurst discharge their duties as Accredited Legal Representative for P's assiduously.’
Work highlights
- Acting in a s.15/16 best interests case which involves a young man (19) with global development delay who was moved from his previous placement, a children’s home, to his supported living placement where he receives care, and the main live issues are P’s use of the internet and social media, his contact with others, and his engagement in sexual relations.
- Acting in a s. 15/16 matter for the mother of P, a young man who currently resides with his foster parents.
- Acting for P (a lady with a very rare diagnosis of Cornelia De Langue Syndrome) who has significant care needs, and one of the complexities in this case is that P is non-verbal, so it is difficult to obtain her wishes.
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Practice head
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Alison Kaye