About Ben:
Ben has 25 years’ experience working as a lawyer in the health and social care sector. He has been rated as one of the leading Court of Protection lawyers in the country for more than a decade.Recognised experts in the fields of mental health and mental capacity law
Our mental health and capacity solicitors have a national reputation as experts in the fields of mental health and mental capacity law, acting for commissioners, NHS and private sector providers, and local authorities across the country.
Mental Health Solicitors and Capacity Law Experts
We regularly advise on the validity of detention papers and MHA policy and provide representation at tribunals and inquests, as well as dealing with applications to the Court of Protection or High Court relating to health and care decisions, including serious medical treatment decisions in emergencies and out of hours.
Legal Advice on Mental Health Law for NHS Trusts and Providers
Our mental health and capacity solicitors have a national reputation as experts in the fields of mental health and mental capacity law, acting for commissioners, NHS and private sector providers, and local authorities across the country. Our clients work in a challenging environment and are subject to a complex set of laws and regulations.
Our work includes operation of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and wider issues regarding consent, confidentiality, admission, detention or deprivation of liberty and treatment.
Representation in Mental Health Tribunals and Hearings
Our specialist mental health and capacity solicitors work closely with the clinical teams within our client organisations and understand the challenges which they face and the reputational issues for providers and commissioners. Often this specialist advice is needed outside office hours, for which we offer a 24-hour helpline.
We also keep our clients up-to-date with legal developments through our mental health and mental capacity law briefings, lectures, seminars and annual mental health law conference. We also provide training specific to our client's needs, including a regular series of free webinars to stay up to date on Court of Protection, Tribunal and High Court case law.
Safeguarding, Risk and Regulatory Compliance
Services offered by our mental health and capacity solicitors:
- Mental Health Act
- Mental Capacity Act
- Deprivation of liberty
- Human Rights Act
- Complaints and compensation claims
- Court of Protection proceedings
- Safeguarding
- Consent to treatment
- Pre Inquest hearings and Inquests
- Offender care
- Representation at hearings
- Judicial reviews
- Policy review and preparation
- Serious Incident Investigations
- Reputational management advice
- Information Governance
- CQC, police and other regulatory matters
- Advice to local authority AMPHs
- Advice to police services on mental health issues
- Commissioning disputes
Why choose Weightmans as Your Mental Health Law Firm
Our specialist mental health and capacity solicitors work closely with the clinical teams within our client organisations and understand the challenges which they face and the reputational issues for providers and commissioners.
We are at the forefront of development of policy and resources, with one of our partners sitting on the Law Society’s Mental Health and Disability Committee, and contributing to, for instance, recent guidance on deprivation of liberty, as well as delivery of training nationwide, both in person and online, including for the National Mental Capacity Forum.
We are pleased to offer a fixed fee approach to streamlined court applications for authorisation of a deprivation of liberty in the community.
Accolades
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Weightmans consistently delivers a high level of service and demonstrates excellent responsiveness. Its team is approachable, reliable and quick to engage in complex issues. What sets this department apart is the calibre of its legal professionals. Its solicitors are excellent, highly detailed and thorough, and the barristers are always exceptional. Weightmans has always been personable, straight talking and practical in its guidance. The team has excellent knowledge and experience in the sector as well as good links with public bodies, counsel and other stakeholders, which assists with collaborative working. They're always practical in how they handle very complex legal matters, which provides great reassurance.
Chambers and Partners, 2026 -
The team are personable and accommodating in their approach to clients.
Chambers 2025 -
The team are experienced, intellectually rigorous and down to earth. They are timely in all aspects.
Chambers 2025 -
Weightmans provide excellent response times and a depth of knowledge, coupled with commerciality. They're consistently excellent.
Chambers 2025 -
Weightmans have the knowledge and expertise we require. The team are always extremely professional and robust in their support and response to us.
Chambers 2025
Our mental health and capacity solicitors
View all experts
About Julia:
Julia has a particular interest in mental health law, the operation of the Mental Health Act and on all aspects relating to the treatment and detention of mentally ill people. She regularly undertakes complex Court of Protection work.
Our other healthcare regulation services
- Advice For Regulators
- CQC and HIW Regulations
- GDC fitness to practise hearings
- GDPR in Health and Social Care
- GMC fitness to practise hearings
- Healthcare governance
- Interim Orders Tribunals
- Maintaining High Professional Standards
- Healthcare investigations
- Medical Student Fitness to Practise
- NHS counter fraud investigations
- Performers List
