News

Duncan Lewis Solicitors on the 1 December 2016 provided a “Meet and greet” session to service users at The Advocacy Project. The Advocacy Project ensures that the most vulnerable people in London have meaningful choice and control over what happens in their lives particularly older people and those with learning disabilities, dementia and mental health issues. With a long tradition of working with adults and older people, we have now extended our scope and are undertaking invaluable work with children and young people.

At this session Helen Cummings, Trainee Public Law Solicitor at the Harrow office, 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; and


• Deputyship- Health and Welfare/ Finance and Property.


• Funding options.

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

Helen Cummings of Duncan Lewis commented that: “It was a delight to meet Sam, and the service users at the Penfold Community Hub. At Duncan Lewis Solicitors, we think it is very important to share knowledge regarding the options for the individual in relation to advance decision making. We fully support organisations, like The Advocacy Project, and hope to provide assistance in the future.”

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 that the Court will make decisions regarding:

• The health and welfare of the individual;


• The finances and property arrangements for the individual.

Sam Palmer-Canyellas, user involvement project manager at The Advocacy Project commented that she:

“just wanted to say a big thank you to Duncan Lewis for delivering a talk on Advance Decisions. The [trainee] solicitor, Helen Cummings provided in depth knowledge and prepared a tailor made presentation for our older adults user involvement group at the Penfold Community Hub. The talk was hugely informative and Helen was approachable and a great facilitator”

Find out more about the Advocacy project at www.advocacyproject.org.uk and @TapAdvocacy.

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 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.

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 on 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 firms 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 on 02031141336.