Free Seminar- The Role of Judicial Review in Mental Health Cases

This seminar will explore and discuss when judicial review is and is not appropriate in mental health cases. There will be a particular focus on the inter-relationship between rights of appeal and judicial review, in the Upper Tribunal and/or the High Court. The session will also examine how to spot a judicial review case, and some of the benefits and pitfalls.

Speakers 

Stephen Simblet KC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Stephen Simblet KC is Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers. Stephen’s practice focuses on civil claims against the police and public authorities; inquests; mental health and Court of Protection; public law/judicial review. He conducts complex hearings before what used to be called the Mental Health Review Tribunal, along with associated judicial review and habeas corpus. These hearings involve restricted patients and those with so-called “dangerous severe personality disorder” in Rampton, Broadmoor and other special hospitals. He is also an expert in damages claims arising out of psychiatric detention. Stephen is an editor of the Community Care Law Reports. Since taking silk, he has represented a number of agencies intervening in important cases, including Mind (the Mental Health charity) and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Stephen’s interest and expertise in mental health law has led him into difficult Court of Protection cases, particularly involving contested allegations of physical or financial abuse, or where several of the parties suffer from mental illness or difficulty.

Helen Curtis, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers 
Helen Curtis is an established Court of Protection practitioner instructed by relatives of P or by P’s litigation friend whether the Official Solicitor, an ALR or an advocacy service. Due to her mediation skills,  Helen is often instructed in complex cases where there is a high degree of conflict between family members and health and social care services. Equally, Helen undertakes cases where capacity issues intersect with the operation of the Mental Health Act or across geographical borders. Her mental health work covers restricted patients whether being transferred between hospital and prison or seeking discharge as well as patients detained under ss 2 and 3. Additionally, Helen represents patients or their Nearest Relative in proceedings where displacement of the Nearest Relative is sought.

Roger Pezzani, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers 
Roger Pezzani practices exclusively in mental health law. He represents and advises at all levels, from the First-tier Tribunal to the appellate courts and tribunals. Roger was the lead representative for Mind, the leading national mental health charity, in the three-month hearing of Module 3 of the Covid Inquiry, concentrating on CYPMHS.

Reserve your in-person ticket
In-person tickets are limited by the venue’s capacity. After you have completed the form, we will be back in touch to confirm whether a place is available at the event.