Category Archives: Uncategorized

Non-compliance:  What happens when public bodies don’t obey court orders?

It concerns “non-compliance issues” in a case called JS v South Tyneside Council – and I guessed (correctly) that the non-compliance related to the behaviour of South Tyneside Council rather than to JS, the protected party in the case.

“Liberty” in the Supreme Court

“What about somebody who is so demented they’re effectively catatonic. Just spend the day in front of a television set. Is that person- In what sense does that person have any liberty which she can be deprived of?” (Lord Reed)

Reflections of a freelance mental capacity consultant on the Supreme Court case about deprivation of liberty

I know it’s not a popular view, but I consider the limitations on my daughter’s liberty arise from the injury. She cannot always bring forward and initiate ideas; she can’t go out alone – not because we or the State want to impede her experience of liberty but because the combination of visual impairment, mobility impairment and speed of processing information make it unsafe for her to do so.

A summary of the arguments heard by the Supreme Court

On 20-22 October 2025, the UK Supreme Court is hearing argument about how to understand a deprivation of liberty. This blog is a summary of the oral arguments that the court has heard, and will be updated as the case develops.

Cheshire West returns to the Supreme Court: The position of the parties

This blog contains brief summaries of the position of each party and intervener. In putting together this blog, I’ve tried to capture the essence of each position but not explain every step in the formulation of that position.

Place Your Bets: The Supreme Court vs The Spirit of Cheshire West

On Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd October, the UK Supreme Court is gearing up to hear a case that could redraw the map of human rights protections for people deprived of their liberty, and I, for one, am terrified.

Reform, not rollback: Reflections from a social worker and former DOLS lead on the upcoming Supreme Court case about deprivation of liberty 

This question strikes at the heart of the “subjective element” of deprivation of liberty. And it’s why charities like Mind, Mencap, and the National Autistic Society are sounding the alarm. As someone who has worked as a DoLS lead, Best Interests Assessor, and social worker, and now as a Practice Development Consultant at SCIE, I share those concerns.

A committal, a closed hearing, and forced removal of P

It was fascinating to to be able to ‘eavesdrop’ on the practical and legal dilemmas created by this situation as it unfolded in real time. … to appreciate how decisions emerge in response to changing events on the ground, and how competing arguments are advanced (often fervently) by people committed to P’s best interests but with different perspectives on how P’s best interests should be served

Serving a prison sentence for contempt of court: Luba Macpherson

The Court of Appeal was (again) displaying to others who might be tempted to flout court orders that it would not hesitate to exact punishment.