The new owners of the small care home the siblings live in have announced that they will be closing the care home in a few short weeks. A new home has to be found for the siblings, urgently. This case displays the limits of the Court of Protection, the immense pressure on social services, and the harm being caused to vulnerable people.
Tag Archives: DJ Clarke
Everyone agrees it’s in the best interests of two siblings to live together – but is that possible?
By Daniel Clark and Amanda Hill, 29th October 2026 Two siblings, AA and BB, have lived together almost all their lives and now reside in the same care home. However, one has been served with an eviction notice and there is therefore a risk that they’ll be separated. It now falls to the Court ofContinue reading “Everyone agrees it’s in the best interests of two siblings to live together – but is that possible?”
“What your mother wants and what is best for P may not be the same thing”: Judge seeks family engagement and clarification of immigration status
I hope that the practical plan put in place by DJ Clarke will enable the family and professionals to collaborate effectively and ensure that the Official Solicitor can obtain P’s wishes and feelings. Ultimately, the decisions being made are about P’s life, and his voice must be at the centre of those decisions.
Decision to remove a professional deputy (without a fact-finding hearing): DJ Clarke in action
I’ve observed a lot of different judges in a lot of different hearings. If I were P, or a member of P’s family, DJ Clarke is a judge I’d be very happy to have hearing my case.
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”
DJ Clarke calls time on public body delay: Internet restrictions, consultation with deputies, and a rejection of judicial “micromanaging”
By Daniel Clark, 16th May 2025 This case concerns XY: an autistic man in his twenties who lived an active and sociable life until a decline in his mental health. As described in an earlier blog post, he’s been failed by NHS South West London ICB and the London Borough of Wandsworth. The issue before theContinue reading “DJ Clarke calls time on public body delay: Internet restrictions, consultation with deputies, and a rejection of judicial “micromanaging””
A young man failed by NHS South West London ICB and the London Borough of Wandsworth
Working in the health service, I often hear families’ concerns or reasonable complaints framed as them being ‘anxious’ about their loved one’s care. I think it can be a manoeuvre to delegitimise their (often perfectly reasonable) concerns and belittle their status as a full participant. Conversely, I don’t hear the word ‘anxious’ being used about powerful professionals when they speak up or raise concerns.
