Paul Allerston

Partner

Manchester

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About me

I’m a partner in our Healthcare team specialising in Court of Protection matters for acute and mental health NHS trusts, NHS commissioners and private healthcare providers. My particular speciality is in associated safeguarding and legal issues.

I have a very broad client base, with NHS Integrated Care Boards at its core, and I’m the firm’s national lead for Healthcare and Public Law ICBs across the country.

My inquest practice represents and provides advocacy to a broad client base in complex and high-profile inquests nationwide. I also have a regulatory practice, predominantly for my educational, private health and social care provider clients, including advice in respect of CQC, HSE, Ofsted enforcement and regulation.

As a specialist lawyer with considerable experience and expertise on a wide range of legal areas within the sector, I’m able to advise clients on many different areas, which sets me apart in my field.  

I’m pragmatic, genuinely empathetic to my clients’ circumstances and l like to get to the point. It’s an approach that’s helped me build real trust and is the basis of many effective, longstanding client relationships.

Away from work, I’m an FA-registered football coach and manage a grassroots football team – it’s personally fulfilling and a great counterbalance to the day job!

My experience

  • I work with numerous, large ICB clients across the country.
  • I have acted in high profile inquest matters attracting national press attention.
  • I have advised in a number of high-profile cases including several leading cases in the Court of Appeal: A NHS Foundation Trust v G & Ors (Rev1) [2022] EWCOP 25 and subsequent appeal G, Re (Court of Protection: Injunction) [2022] EWCA Civ 1312, M (Declaration of Death of Child) [2020] EWCA Civ 164, JJ, R (On the Application Of) v Spectrum Community Health CIC [2022] EWHC 2440 (Admin) and the subsequent appeal JJ, R (On the Application Of) v Spectrum Community Health CIC (Rev1) [2023] EWCA Civ 885. , VA, Re (Medical Treatment) [2023] EWCA Civ 1190.

My expertise

Health and social careNHSIndependent healthcare providersPrimary careEducationHealth and safetyHealthcare regulationInquiries and investigationsMental capacity and mental health law

"Paul is often my “go to person” when I have a complex issue that needs sorting quickly and he is well regarded amongst everyone at the NCA. In addition, we have the added anomaly of a sometimes adversarial Coroner and Paul does not let these stresses get in the way of solving the problem, quickly and robustly… Paul enables myself to do my job by supporting me without question, at any time day or night and always does it with a smile on his face. I would always reach out for support from Paul because of his calming manner and the calming influences he has over the Doctors and me when I allow stresses of the day to get in the way of logical thinking."

Alison Talbot, Assistant Director of Governance and Patient Experience, Manchester University NHSFT

“Paul’s advice is delivered in a thoughtful and relevant way. He carefully lays out the options with reasons behind his advice. He then guides me and my staff through a discussion and helps us reach consensus which is informed by his legal opinion. Over the years as a medical administrator I have worked with other lawyers. I can truthfully say that Paul has been the best because of his knowledge and understanding of issues surrounding health, but also because of the pastoral care he takes when working with me and my staff.”

Professor Nikki Murdoch (former Medical Director, Alder Hey Childrens NHS FT)

"Working in such a senior role across a healthcare system requires a strong team supporting me. I consider Paul to be part of that support team, albeit not from within my own organisation. In essence he helps me to discharge my duties with confidence around difficult legal decisions and emergent legal minefields. Paul’s personable and affable nature supports an easier dialogue for my team when they are trying to ensure that as an organisation, we are working within the legal frameworks which are high risk cases in regard to reputational damage. During the occasions when I have seen Paul in action, so to speak. I have observed him to be very well respected amongst his peers. This is very important to someone who is not part of the legal profession as it signals a professional respect and trust from his peers, it’s a very visual validation”

Jacqui Coulter (former Chief Nurse, NHS GMICB Trafford)

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