News

Tony Harrop-Griffiths represented the local authority in an appeal before the Vice President of the  Court of Protection against a decision that CT, a 55-year-old man, lacked capacity to make decisions about residence and care.
The local authority was supporting the appeal which was brought by Official Solicitor. Mental health charity Mind was an intervenor in the proceedings.

Christine Cooper has been appointed a nominated judge of the Court of Protection. From this week, Christine will sit as a tier 1 judge hearing district judge level cases.

Joshua Swirsky is leaving chambers following his appointment as a full-time circuit judge. He takes up his role this month and will sit at Lewes Crown Court. Joshua was called to the Bar in 1987 and joined Field Court Chambers in 1988.

Rebecca Handcock acted for the local authority in Court of Protection proceedings about the safeguarding of a vulnerable young man. He had been removed from his supported living facility by family members in breach of court orders. The local authority had had safeguarding responsibility for the 22-year-old man, A after its social workers raised serious concerns about the quality of care given to him when his mother was looking after him.

Christine Cooper represented 2 attorneys for a woman with dementia (MAM) in Court of Protection proceedings brought by the Office of the Public Guardian. The Public Guardian had applied to revoke the attorneys’ lasting powers of attorney alleging they acted contrary to MAM’s best interests. Unusually the court ordered the Public Guardian to pay half the attorneys’ legal costs.

Tony Harrop-Griffiths has been instructed by the local authority in Court of Protection proceedings concerning Tony Hickmott since 2021. Although a placement has been found for Mr Hickmott, the court continues to keep his case under review.