By Celia Kitzinger and Jenny Kitzinger, 9th April 2024 The judgment has subsequently been published here: NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board v PC & Ors [2024] EWCOP 31 (T3) In July 2020, a woman identified in the judgment as “PC”, collapsed at home with a cardiac arrest. This was totally unexpected: she was otherwise fit andContinue reading “Family tragedy and institutional delay in best interests decisions about life-prolonging treatment”
Tag Archives: Not Secret Court
“The immediate steps in the aftermath of that judgment”: Increasing concerns, a TZ care plan, and judicial continuity
by Daniel Clark, 8th April 2024 In a recent published judgment, it was found that EE has capacity to make decisions about sex and contraception ([2024] EWCOP 5). Her decisions may possibly be unwise ones (she’s said she wants to have a baby) but as the judge put it “however strong is the impulse to protect, the folliesContinue reading ““The immediate steps in the aftermath of that judgment”: Increasing concerns, a TZ care plan, and judicial continuity”
“ I want to go home” – catching up with GNK 13 months later for the final hearing
By Celia Kitzinger, 27th March 2024 More than a year ago, back in November 2022, assistant psychologist Catalia Griffiths watched and then blogged about a (remote) hearing before Deputy District Judge Reeder concerning a woman in her 50s who was in hospital with Huntington’s disease. The title of the blog post she wrote, reflects whatContinue reading ““ I want to go home” – catching up with GNK 13 months later for the final hearing”
When P stops eating and drinking
By Ian Brownhill, 26th March 2024 This is not a blog about anorexia, withdrawal of artificial/clinically assisted feeding, nor is it a blog post about the ethics of voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED). Rather, it is an attempt to explain the circumstances in which the Court of Protection might become involved in a caseContinue reading “When P stops eating and drinking”
Committal hearing: Struck out and dismissed for procedural defects
By Celia Kitzinger, 25th March 2024 It was listed as a committal hearing – an application by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council to send “DB” to prison. It caught my eye because it wasn’t listed the way committal hearings are normally supposed to be. The Practice Direction for Committal for Contempt of Court specifies that the name ofContinue reading “Committal hearing: Struck out and dismissed for procedural defects”
A newly addicted observer’s reflections
By ‘Jean Louise’ (daughter of a current P), 24th March 2024 (with new postscript dded 14th April 2025) I found the Open Justice Court of Protection Project’s website a few weeks ago due to an issue in my own family, the details of which I hope to share in due course, transparency orders allowing. JuryContinue reading “A newly addicted observer’s reflections”
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”
‘The point is this – she is scared and vulnerable’: Judge about Laura Wareham
By Claire Martin, 17 March 2024 There has been a series of hearings concerning Laura Wareham. I observed a previous hearing in June 2023, and blogged about it here. At that hearing, the Health Board was seeking a 12-week cessation of all contact between Laura and her parents. In this blog, I have chosen to write aboutContinue reading “‘The point is this – she is scared and vulnerable’: Judge about Laura Wareham”
Promoting Open Justice in the Court of Protection 