Vulnerable Adults and Children Law
Many people with disabilities have significant mental health
problems and/or learning difficulties and this may raise issues relating to
their mental capacity or their ability to be supported.
The families of people who lack capacity to make decisions
for themselves often have to deal with difficulties in accessing and consenting
to healthcare and community care services.
Disputes can arise in relation to the withdrawal of medical
treatment. Decisions will have to be made by those families or by care and
public service providers in the best interests of the individual.
Similar issues can arise in respect of children, who are
usually unable to give valid consent for medical treatment.
Alternatively, adults and children can have disputes with
institutions on the obtaining of care and funding.
Disputes as to capacity and what is in someone’s ‘best
interests’ can often involve detailed negotiation or argument, complaint
against service providers and, if necessary, proceedings in the Court of
Protection or the High Court.
We ensure the human rights of any client are upheld in any
decision with which we are involved. We have recognised expertise in relation
to human rights and ‘best interests’ cases – decisions relating to medical
treatment, right to life cases (for example the withdrawal of life-support or
life-saving measures) and/or appropriate care and welfare decisions.