That experience has helped me to understand, on a visceral level, how easily autonomy can be subsumed under the guise of safety, support, and risk management. I notice the gulf between how I describe what’s happening as ‘supervision and control’, and how one of the hospital caregivers referred to it, as ‘support’.
Tag Archives: HHJ Beckley
My first experience of being an in-person observer at First Avenue House (London): HHJ Beckley decides on where P should live and receive care
By Sandra Preston, 18 August 2025 On 13 August 2025 I went to First Avenue House (the London headquarters of the Court of Protection) for the first time as an observer – rather than as the relative of a Protected Party (as described my blog post here). I had chosen to do so to gainContinue reading “My first experience of being an in-person observer at First Avenue House (London): HHJ Beckley decides on where P should live and receive care”
Judgment: An update to “A Catch 22 situation for P or Hobson’s Choice?” (and how access to court documents helps transparency and open justice)
By Amanda Hill, 24th September 2024 I’ve now been sent the (as yet unpublished) judgment in the case of “London Borough of Lambeth v CT & North Central London ICB” (issued 21 August 2024, additions made on 4 September 2024). This is the case I observed and blogged about last month: “A “Catch 22” situation for P or Hobson’s Choice? Disagreement amongContinue reading “Judgment: An update to “A Catch 22 situation for P or Hobson’s Choice?” (and how access to court documents helps transparency and open justice)”
A “Catch 22” situation for P or Hobson’s Choice? Disagreement among professionals as to whether P has capacity and a finely balanced decision for the judge
By Amanda Hill, 30th August 2024 “I want to get on with my life”. At the heart of this hearing (COP 14251478 on 20th August 2024) is P, a man who looks to be in his late 60s or early 70s. He attended remotely by video link from a psychiatric hospital and was present for most ofContinue reading “A “Catch 22” situation for P or Hobson’s Choice? Disagreement among professionals as to whether P has capacity and a finely balanced decision for the judge “
“A most distinguished man”
By Claire Martin, 15th April 2024 A hearing before HHJ Beckley on 18th March 2024 (COP 1347207T) started off with counsel for P (Alison Harvey) describing the person at the centre of the case as “a most distinguished man’”. He is used to living in Kensington & Chelsea and wants to go back there to live. Continue reading ““A most distinguished man” “
The story of TW and her amazing friend and attorney – two years on
By Amanda Hill, formerly known as ‘Anna’ 22nd March 2024 The first hearing I ever observed in the Court of Protection (COP 13744224) was on 3rd May 2022, nearly 2 years ago now[1]. It concerned a woman in her nineties (TW), in a care home following discharge from hospital after a fall. She wanted to return homeContinue reading “The story of TW and her amazing friend and attorney – two years on”
Depriving a young person of his liberty: Law or parental responsibility
By Tim Sugden, 21st March 2024 On 13th March I observed a remote hearing (COP 14200743) before HHJ Beckley, which concerned the deprivation of a 16-year-old’s liberty. In the Introductory Notes I was sent prior to the hearing (NB : receiving this document was extremely helpful – if only we could be sent something similarContinue reading “Depriving a young person of his liberty: Law or parental responsibility”
When two legal teams turn up in court to represent P: Disputed capacity to conduct proceedings
By Celia Kitzinger, 18 March 2024 “The first thing I need to decide,” says the judge, “is who is acting for Mrs P”. It turns out there’s a difficulty. Two legal team have turned up in court, both purporting to represent the protected party. Mrs P (who has a – disputed – dementia diagnosis) considers that sheContinue reading “When two legal teams turn up in court to represent P: Disputed capacity to conduct proceedings”
Older lady “very sorely let down” by local authority with “multiple failings”
By Daniel Clark, 17 December 2023 The person at the centre of this case (COP 14072451) is an 84-year-old lady, currently deprived of her liberty in a nursing home. She is unhappy with the situation and is objecting to her placement there – which has led to an application under s21a of the Mental Capacity ActContinue reading “Older lady “very sorely let down” by local authority with “multiple failings””
Promoting Open Justice in the Court of Protection 