Public Law Solicitors

The Court of Protection is responsible for assisting people that no longer have the mental capacity to make decisions. It is the responsibility of the Court to ensure that vulnerable persons cannot be exploited, and those responsible for their welfare are assisting appropriately.








Essentially, there are two main areas in which the Court will make decisions regarding:

The health and welfare of the individual;

The finances and property arrangements for the individual.

At Duncan Lewis, we have specialist and experienced solicitors to assist in all matters, which could be placed before the Court. The specialist Court of Protection team deal with cases considering a wide range of issues, including:

Residence, care, contact, sexual capacity, medical treatment, end of life treatment cases, finance, contraception, cross-jurisdictional points and Deprivation of Liberty orders. Further to this, we can also consider cases with Mental Health elements.

Additionally, we provide advice on: Advanced decisions, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyship applications.

Further to the above, we can also provide advice relating to:

Community Care issues;

Dealing with: Disability rights- Adults and Children/ Support/ Accessing services.

Our Clients

Our Client’s range from a broad spectrum from professional bodies (like: the Official Solicitor, IMCA/IMHA/ Advocacy groups and RPR’s) to individual members of the public such as family members.

MEET AND GREET

Duncan Lewis Solicitors on the 22 March 2017 provided a “Meet and greet” session to service users at Penfold Community Hub meeting at the St John’s Wood Library. At this session, Helen Cummings (Trainee Solicitor) provided legal training specifically tailored (as requested) in relation to the following areas:

An overview of the MCA 2005, and the Court of Protection;

Mental incapacity – What is this?;

Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment;

Lasting Powers of Attorney;

Deputyship- Health and Welfare/ Finance and Property; and

Funding options.

In addition to the above, the presentation also featured example cases, and a question and answer session.

COMMENTS

Comment from Denis Kane, Project Manager at the Penfold Community Hub:

“The talk by Helen Cummings from Duncan Lewis was very informative and provided very important and useful information to our participants. These sessions are key to ensuring that local residents are fully aware of their rights and of the option they have to manage their affairs. The Penfold Hub is committed to promoting the health and well being of older people and helping them to maintain their independence.”
penfoldhub@nhht.org.uk

Comments by Helen Cummings (Duncan Lewis Solicitors):

“It was great to work again with The Penfold Community Hub. At Duncan Lewis Solicitors, we are hugely supportive of the work undertaken by Denis Kane Project Manager and his team to ensure these issues are raised to services users. These talks provide information upon important issues that could affect us, or our families, at any stage. We fully support organisations, like The Penfold Hub Project and hope to provide assistance in the future.”

TRAINING

Duncan Lewis Solicitors would like to take this opportunity to indicate that it would be willing to provide similar free meet and greet opportunities to other organisations like The Advocacy Project, which require training in any of the above areas. We are particularly pleased to offer this service to advocacy services and IMCA/ IMHA organisations. This session can be kept as informal or formal as the organisation would wish. You will not be obligated in any way to consider these services, and any session would be completely free of charge.

If you would like to contact Duncan Lewis Solicitors for more information on training options with the Public Law team, please contact:

Helen Cummings
Trainee Solicitor
Email: Helenc@duncanlewis.com
DDI: 02031141336
Fax: 020 7923 3320
Branch: Harrow