The chief coroner’s annual report for 2016 has recently been published. The final report from the first chief coroner assesses the state of the coroner service between 2012 and 2016, and makes recommendations for the future. Rebecca Sharrock takes us through the highlights of the report.

Newey J has held that the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) do not exclude the availability of a private law claim for unjust enrichment. The matter came before the court following an application by the defendant local authority and CCG (the authorities) to strike out a claim for restitution. The claim was based on an alleged failure by the authorities to carry out their duties to provide free after-care services under section 117 MHA (the claimant having funded these). 

The recent case of V -v- Associated Newspapers Ltd & Others [2016] EWCOP 21 held that Reporting Restriction Orders (RROs) granted in the Court of Protection (COP) can extend beyond the death of the patient subject to the proceedings, and can even apply to prevent the patient being identified in press reports of ensuing inquest proceedings.

Re JM & Others [2016] EWCOP 15: Hill Dickinson acts in test case which asks central government to find processes for dealing with Deprivation of Liberty authorisation applications 

In essence they are a report prepared in respect of a patient who may lack capacity.

International law firm Hill Dickinson has appointed partner Emma Galland to join its expanding national health practice. Emma, who joins the firm’s London health advisory team, previously worked as legal director at Clyde & Co LLP.  

International law firm Hill Dickinson is continuing to grow its national health practice with the appointment of Kiran Bhogal. Kiran joins as head of the London healthcare advisory team, having previously held the same role at Weightmans.