Mental Health

Asif qualified as a Solicitor in March 2011 and joined the Mental Health department, at Duncan Lewis Solicitors soon after. Asif assists and represents clients detained under Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the 2007 Act) in the areas of West Yorkshire (Dewsbury, Bradford), and the North West (Manchester, Bolton, Bury).

Asif first experience in dealing with Patients under the Mental Health Act was not until he worked for the MHRT Mental Health Review Tribunal in London from 2003 to 2006. Asif then decided to relocate to the North of England, and eventually completed his articles with a well known West Yorkshire firm Switalskis Solicitors specialising in the area of Mental Health Law, and Prison Law.

Asif represents clients at Mental Health Tribunals, Hospital Managers Hearings and Care Programme Approach meetings. In addition, Asif has worked with nearest relatives, advising and assisting with applications for discharge. He is an advocate who is committed to ensuring that her clients receive all round support to facilitate their discharge and liaises with all professionals concerned throughout the proceedings. Lara endeavours to deal with her clients personally throughout their proceedings.

Asif has been a Mental Health Panel Member for over 4 years. Only solicitors that meet the Law Society’s exacting accreditation requirements are permitted to join the Panel. Asif has represented a number of clients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, as amended by the 2007 Act within special hospitals, medium security and low secure settings. He represents patients detained under civil sections and restricted patients in their appeals to the Mental Health Review Tribunal and Hospital Managers.

Asif speaks fluent Punjabi and Urdu.

During his leisure time Asif likes to listen to classical music, and going to the gym