Hugh James is currently appointed by the Court of Protection as a professional property and financial affairs deputy for over 300 individuals. We are regularly approached by solicitors, barristers and local authorities to act as property and financial affairs deputy for clients. The type of clients we are appointed for include (but are not limited to) the following:

Children and young adults who have suffered injuries at birth;
Adults and children who have suffered traumatic brain injuries as a result of accidents or assaults;
Adults and children who have suffered brain injury following inappropriate or substandard medical treatment;
Adults with learning disabilities; and
Adults with illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease.

We also act as a professional trustee for a number of clients with large personal injury trusts in place. Most of our clients have had claims for damages as a result of their injuries in either the civil courts or the CICA (Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority). Large settlements have been awarded as a result of these claims, to include an amount allowed for ongoing Court of Protection and deputyship costs. We become involved as early as possible in the litigation process to ensure that any interim awards are spent on appropriate care and therapy. We regularly see the positive effects that arise from this early therapeutic intervention. We form lifelong relationships with our clients and their families. We do not act in isolation and we work with case managers and care providers to ensure that decisions are made in consultation with all those involved and are ultimately in the client’s best interests. We understand the importance of fully engaging the individual concerned in the decision-making process if at all possible and are able to tailor our approach to their specific circumstances.

What sets us apart

We believe that it is very important to have a fully multi-disciplinary approach to how we manage our client’s finances. Our team comprises solicitors, a qualified social worker, and a qualified accountant. This depth of experience allows us to fully understand our client’s needs, which is key to managing their finances in the best way possible. The team is assisted by a number of specialist Legal Assistants who have built up excellent relationships with our clients and their families, providing a high level of support in a cost-effective manner.

How can we help?

We have specialist Court of Protection lawyers with expertise in the following areas:

Key Contact

Tom Hall

Partner

Tom is the Head of our Court of Protection department and has specialised exclusively in this area since 2012. Tom joined Hugh James in September 2022, having previously been a partner at Thomson Snell & Passmore.

The majority of Tom’s clients are brain injury survivors who have received compensation awards. Tom is also often instructed to prepare expert witness statements regarding Court of Protection costs to assist with ongoing personal injury and clinical negligence claims.

Tom Hall

Partner

Head of Court of Protection

Email: [email protected]

Contact number: 0808 501 6670

Connect with Tom Hall

Expertise:

Tom is the Head of our Court of Protection department and has specialised exclusively in this area since 2012. Tom joined Hugh James in September 2022, having previously been a partner at Thomson Snell & Passmore.

The majority of Tom’s clients are brain injury survivors who have received compensation awards. Tom is also often instructed to prepare expert witness statements regarding Court of Protection costs to assist with ongoing personal injury and clinical negligence claims.

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We have appointed Hugh James on a range of site acquisitions. They have provided a professional service with one point of contact, they are responsive, deliver on timescale commitments, good communicators and most importantly, they’ve helped us get deals over the line.

Chambers & Partners

Andrew Harding is considered “very efficient and professionally competent” by his clients.

Chambers & Partners

Andrew Harding is knowledgeable and takes a very fair view about costs. He understands the special nature of the work and the fact that clients in this area of work are vulnerable. He cares.

The Legal 500

The team has a thorough knowledge of its clients and the difficulties they encounter, involving them in financial decisions whenever possible whilst ensuring their affairs are carefully managed.

The Legal 500

The professionalism and support I have had has been exceptional. The lawyers have been approachable, and their response times to any enquiries have been prompt and direct.

The Legal 500

Andrew Harding, Kate Coles, Charlotte Fletcher and Joy Davies have always been very professional and helpful.

The Legal 500

Very professional, and all members of the team who I have had contact with have been responsive, putting the client’s needs at the forefront of their work. The individuals I work with are always able to help.

The Legal 500

The team is very professional and caring towards clients. Kate Coles, Charlotte Fletcher and Andrew Harding have a good rapport with clients and case managers.

The Legal 500

The team is very approachable and capable.

The Legal 500

A professional team that is extremely knowledgeable about its clients’ needs’.

The Legal 500

They are reliable and have the interests of clients at the forefront of any decision. They can relate to clients and make them feel at ease.

Chambers & Partners

They are really efficient and work very collaboratively.

Chambers & Partners

Our role is all encompassing and will involve most, if not all, of the following for each individual:

Managing long-term investment of funds;
Purchasing and specialist adaptation of properties;
Employing a full team of care staff;
Appointing and maintaining an ongoing relationship with a suitable, experienced case manager as well as other therapists;
Dealing with any Court of Protection applications which need to be made on a wide range of issues, including health and welfare issues where required;
Dealing with funding issues that arise, for example, NHS Continuing Health Care and Local Authority funding;
Purchasing specialist vehicles and ensuring these are insured, taxed and maintained where necessary;
Purchasing specialist equipment on the advice of the case manager/therapists and ensure this equipment is regularly maintained;
Ensuring a will is in place, including a statutory will if required;
Carrying out an investigation into the financial position of a client where required;
Managing various insurance policies (home, car, employment, pet etc);
Managing and ensuring the client is in receipt of the correct benefits;
Agreeing and managing allowances to the client;
Managing requests for funds;
Managing utility payments;
Ensuring correct benefits are received;
Managing periodical payments and ensuring they are appropriately indexed;
Arranging necessary assessments of capacity;
Ensuring the completion of tax returns; and
Completing annual reports to the OPG.

This is not an exhaustive list, as every client’s needs are different. We are happy to discuss any queries which you may have regarding our experience.

Our approach is unique. Our team is multi-faceted including not only legal experts but experts in social care and accountancy, allowing us to consider our client’s best interests taking into account much more than just the legal point of view.
The team has a nationwide reputation for its deputyship work covering the whole of the UK with offices in Cardiff and London.
The team is recommended nationally by independent directories, Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for their court of protection work with Hugh James being noted to field a team of ‘exceptional and approachable lawyers’ that includes Andrew Harding, who ‘takes a real interest in all of his clients’.
The team currently manages the affairs of over 130 individuals with total assets, to include property and large investment portfolios, exceeding £150 million.
Andrew Harding is particularly highly regarded in this field having first been appointed as a receiver nearly 20 years ago.
Andrew is currently a member of the Court of Protection Court Users Group in London and is also a member of COPPA. Andrew was a member of the Court of Protection Deputies Forum which provided input leading to the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. He is a Board Member of Headway.
The Brain Injury team at Hugh James is approved as brain injury solicitor by Headway UK, the Child Brain Injury Trust, and the Brain Injury group.

PO Box 16185
Birmingham
B2 2WH

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0300 456 0300
Fax: 0870 739 5780

Court Funds Office
Glasgow
G58 1AB

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0300 0200 199

Official Solicitor and Public Trustee
Victory House
30-34 Kingsway
London
WC2B 6EX

Email: [email protected]
Fax: 020 3681 2762

Court of Protection Deputy