By Celia Kitzinger, 29th July 2025 The aim of this blog is to promote a more realistic understanding, both for would-be observers and for court staff, lawyers and judges, of what it takes to observe (remote) court hearings. I want to make visible how much time and energy it takes – not only for meContinue reading “A day in the life of a court observer: The high cost of open justice”
Tag Archives: Best Interests
“Perhaps the most contentious matter is the question of his social media and internet access.” But who is the decision-maker?
By Daniel Clark, Eleanor Tallon, and Heather Walton, 24th July 2025 “The case concerns a young autistic man residing in a supported living setting, and proceedings have been ongoing. The real issues between the parties, as I understood them, are in relation to his care and support and whether the current package is appropriate. PerhapsContinue reading ““Perhaps the most contentious matter is the question of his social media and internet access.” But who is the decision-maker?”
No more force (or threat of force) to compel feeding of woman with severe and enduring anorexia
By Elissa Novak and Brittany Murphy 4th July 2025 Editorial Note (Celia Kitzinger): The hearing took place over two days on 24th and 25th June 2025, and there was a shifting group of six or so observers, some of whom took part in discussion about the case which contributed to the ideas expressed in thisContinue reading “No more force (or threat of force) to compel feeding of woman with severe and enduring anorexia”
Navigating engagement in capacity assessment
By Daniel Holt, 2nd July 2025 The case I observed in person before District Judge Clarke sitting at First Avenue House on 9th June 2025 (COP 20015914) was brought by the London Borough of Lewisham (the “LA”) and concerned a deaf adult with a mild learning disability (“P”), who was represented by the Official SolicitorContinue reading “Navigating engagement in capacity assessment”
Strongly held beliefs do not equate to lack of litigation capacity: Judgment concerning Luba Macpherson’s appeal against committal to prison
By Amanda Hill, 24th June 2024 “But in America, in my home, they are persecuting people for using their right to free speech and voicing their dissent. This is happening now.” (Bruce Springsteen, during his concert at Lille, Saturday 24 May 2025[1]) As well as saying people are persecuted for using their right to freeContinue reading “Strongly held beliefs do not equate to lack of litigation capacity: Judgment concerning Luba Macpherson’s appeal against committal to prison”
“Does that mean I am off the hook?”: A successful s21a Deprivation of Liberty Challenge
By Claire Martin, 23rd June 2025 I had some unexpected time on Monday 16th June 2025, so I had a look at the listings the night before, and this one caught my eye because it said ‘FINAL HEARING’, so I knew that the judge’s determination on the matters listed (‘capacity and best interests’) was likelyContinue reading ““Does that mean I am off the hook?”: A successful s21a Deprivation of Liberty Challenge”
Preparing for possible future lack of capacity: My advance decision to refuse treatment and the case before Poole J
By Claire Martin, 13th June 2025 Le soleil ni la mort ne se peuvent regarder en face. You cannot stare straight into the face of the sun, or death. François de La Rochefoucauld, Maxim 26 Over the course of the last year or so, I’ve been thinking about what provisions I want to put inContinue reading “Preparing for possible future lack of capacity: My advance decision to refuse treatment and the case before Poole J”
A judge without a bundle adjourns the case
By Daniel Clark, 11th June 2025 A bundle is a collection of documents that are relevant to the decision that the court is being asked to make. As Kyle Squire, then a barrister at 5 Pump Court Chambers put it in a blog for the Open Justice Court of Protection Project, “‘Bundle’ may be aContinue reading “A judge without a bundle adjourns the case”
Risk aversion and delay: Losing sight of best interests?
By Rebecca Pritchard, 2nd June 2025 I have observed a number of Court of Protection hearings but have never blogged one before. I chose to blog about this case (COP 14265088 heard by Lieven J on 6th May 2025 in the Royal Courts of Justice, observed via MS Teams), because firstly, it struck me asContinue reading “Risk aversion and delay: Losing sight of best interests?”
Unsuccessful Application for Permission to Appeal
By Claire Martin, 19th May 2025 In May 2024, a year ago, Amanda Hill blogged about this case: “The protected party in this case (“L”) is a man in his twenties with “significant learning disability”, autism and complex physical disabilities. He had been living at home with a care package in place until July 2021, whenContinue reading “Unsuccessful Application for Permission to Appeal”
Promoting Open Justice in the Court of Protection 