About me
As a legal director in the Healthcare and Public Law team, I specialise in mental health and mental capacity law, medical treatment, public law, inquests and children’s rights. I advise NHS trusts, commissioners and independent providers, often in urgent and complex cases involving court proceedings.
My background includes acting for both patients and NHS bodies, which gives me a dual perspective on the application of the Mental Health Act and Court of Protection. I regularly appear in the High Court and Court of Protection and have worked on many high-profile, reported cases.
I’m known for my pragmatic and empathetic approach, especially when navigating sensitive or high stakes matters. I’m also a first-tier tribunal judge, a qualified solicitor-advocate and a mental health first aider.
I speak conversational French and love music, particularly dance music. One of my most memorable trips was taking my mum to Venice, which was more incredible than I ever expected.
My experience
- I have extensive experience relating to the use of the Mental Health Act 1983 both on behalf of patients and NHS bodies, having previously been an accredited mental health lawyer by the Law Society when acting for patients. I am advising NHS England in relation to the new Mental Health Bill and have been involved in a large number of published cases related to interpretation of the MHA 1983, or use of the MHA 1983.
- I also specialise in mental capacity work, having acted in the past on behalf of P or their family, and now on behalf of NHS bodies or local authorities. I frequently appear in the Court of Protection and I particularly enjoy working on serious medical treatment cases.
- I have become a specialist in working on behalf of NHS England, NHS trusts and commissioners in relation to children and young people involving the national DOLS court and High Court Family Division and regularly advise on the difficulties these cases can bring in managing risk.
- I enjoy public law work and deal with judicial review or pre-action correspondence and advice for NHS bodies, with many matters relating to commissioning and/or provision of services.
- I was appointed as a judge of the first-tier tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) in 2024 and currently deal with special educational needs and disability matters.
- I have a background in crime and prison law, which assists me in understanding and advising around certain aspects of healthcare matters and offender health.