Inside the Court of Protection Rule Committee

After lengthy correspondence the Court of Protection Rule Committee have released their meeting minutes to the mouseinthecourt. The committee was described by the then vice-president Mr Justice Hayden as “the operational spine of the court“. They provide a fascinating insight not only into being able to see what was discussed but also conversely what isn’t.

‘We know her best’ – family members disagree with the litigation friend

A judge in the Court of Protection has set directions for trial after a dispute emerged between a so-called ‘litigation friend’ and family members.  This was a well-attended hearing with the front row consisting of barristers representing the Local Authority and P’s litigation friend, along with P’s daughter in law and her husband appearing inContinue reading “‘We know her best’ – family members disagree with the litigation friend”

“I have to tell you something which may well come as a shock” says Court of Protection Judge

“I have to tell you something which may well come as a shock” is a sentence that no mother would wish to hear, and certainly not from a Judge when sat at a hearing in the imposing Royal Courts of Justice. What was revealed was a shock to me too.

Court considers how to operate against patient’s will

“I don’t want the family to think I have made the decision as a paper exercise.  The medical evidence is clear to me”.  So said The Honourable Mr Justice Hayden, Vice President of the Court of Protection, as he explained that it was in a man’s best interests to have his lower leg amputated despiteContinue reading “Court considers how to operate against patient’s will”

‘No Entry’ – Open Justice at the RCJ

“It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.’” So reads the infamous line from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy to justify the assertion that the all-important plans had indeed been on public display.  IContinue reading “‘No Entry’ – Open Justice at the RCJ”

A mother abroad and a family dispute – Part 2

Court report: 11th January 2021 @ The Court of Protection As a follower of the Open Justice Court of Protection Project on Twitter I took advantage of their daily publication of upcoming Court of Protection hearings and e-mailed in my request to observe a case. A previous hearing in this matter, held some 11 daysContinue reading “A mother abroad and a family dispute – Part 2”

Nagging doubt at the Court of Protection

Court Report: 7th January 2021 @ The Court of Protection before DJ Beckley “Rest assured absolutely everything that could have been said on your behalf was” – I recall these words directed at a defendant by a Judge of the Crown Court whilst handing down a rather hefty sentence.  Indeed, both barristers had done aContinue reading “Nagging doubt at the Court of Protection”

Open Justice at the not-so-secret Court

Court Report: 10/09/2020 @ The Family Court at Guildford (Heard Remotely) Followers of the ‘Open Justice Court of Protection Project’ will be aware that they do an excellent job in promoting public observation in what The Telegraph once called “the most secretive court in Britain”. The project publishes a daily list on their website highlightingContinue reading “Open Justice at the not-so-secret Court”