Mental Health

Belinda joined Duncan Lewis in 2008 as a Consultant Solicitor Advocate (All Higher Courts). Prior to qualifying as a solicitor Belinda worked in Mental Health social services for 10 years where she gained a lot of hand on experience with people who suffer from mental health problems. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2004 after completing her qualifications part time while working full time. She became a member of the Law Society Mental Health Panel in 2002 and began advocating at Mental Health Tribunals whilst completing her training contract to become a fully qualified solicitor.

Belinda immediately went into mental health law first working for Hugh James Solicitors in Cardiff. She then went on to the Gwyn George Partnership where she opened and supervised a mental health department prior to coming to Duncan Lewis as a consultant. She has specialised in mental health law prior to and since qualifying as a solicitor. Belinda completed all her higher rights exams in 2003 and can advise and represent in any high court, civil or criminal. She represents clients in Mental Health Review Tribunals and in higher court proceedings under the Human Rights Act and Judicial review.

Belinda represents clients detained under all sections of the Mental health Act and also represents lifer prisoners/transfer prisoners detained under the Mental Health Act at Parole Board Hearings. Belinda is an 'all rounder' in mental health and will represent any person in crime/family etc where the issue is predominantly mental health. Belinda believes that mental health pervades over all aspects of a persons life and the cross over within different areas of law are complex, requiring expert understanding of all the issues involved, enabling the best representation on behalf of the client. Belinda is a committee member of the Mental Health Lawyers Association and also a member of the Human Rights Lawyers Association.