Looking for solicitor/legal firm
Looking for solicitor/legal firm
Author
Discussion

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

91,117 posts

288 months

Monday 1st March 2010
quotequote all
- specialising in needs of the elderly, English law specifically NHS funded/continuing care, disability, care vs nursing, mental health, Alzheimers, familiar with useful cases and precedents, Coughlan, Grogan etc. Please PM if you can recommend an expert or can take it on. Ta!

Jasandjules

71,911 posts

252 months

Monday 1st March 2010
quotequote all
If you look at the caselaw, it tells you which firms were instructed for each party and also what counsel......... That might be a starting point?

I assume you would prefer in the Colchester area?

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

91,117 posts

288 months

Monday 1st March 2010
quotequote all
Local is ideal but specialism in the area is more important (as the incumbent says, it's expensive getting solicitors to do research). Hence there's no point in paying our chap to find out stuff that a specialist already knows. The subject is very complex and I think that when the relevant authorities are deciding whether to or not to provide funding, if it comes to dealing with an expert rather little old me, they may be more likely to accede.

I could get bogged down for weeks trying to become an expert, but I'd rather pay somebody to do it properly and take it off my desk.

Jasandjules

71,911 posts

252 months

Monday 1st March 2010
quotequote all
Ok, found Coughlan on Lexis Nexis which linked to Green

Robert Weir (instructed by Hugh James Solicitors) for the claimant.
Roger McCarthy QC (instructed by Bevan Brittan Solicitors) for the authority

However, Coughlan gives up

James Goudie QC and Siobhan Ward (instructed by Bevans Ashford, Bristol) for the health authority.
Richard Gordon QC, Tim Ward and Jennifer Richards (instructed by Mackintosh Duncan) for Miss Coughlan.
Nigel Pleming QC and Steven Kovats (instructed by the Solicitor to the Department of Social Security) for the Secretary of State.
Philip Havers QC and Kristina Stern (instructed by R C Bernhard, Director of Legal Services) for the Royal College.

Lurking Lawyer

4,535 posts

248 months

Monday 1st March 2010
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Sent you an e-mail in response to your own, John.

Hugh James (mentioned above in the case report posted by J&J) have a reputation in this area and could be worth talking to as a starting point. That reputation may very well mean you end up paying top dollar though....

PetrolTed

34,464 posts

326 months

Monday 1st March 2010
quotequote all
Continuing care = blood/stone interface.

I have recent experience with this in relation to Alzheimers.

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

91,117 posts

288 months

Monday 1st March 2010
quotequote all
Thanks to those who replied - replies are on the way.

Ted - how did you get on? It's a tough area and I'm not expecting victory, but if there's even a small chance it's worth investigating because there's a sizeable chunk at stake in the long run.

2 5HAN

702 posts

254 months

Tuesday 2nd March 2010
quotequote all
Not sure of your situation or the problems you are facing but have you tried looking for a local Care Consultant with Continuing Health Care CHC experience?

A second opinion from a Care Consultant would be cheaper than a solicitor and also can help making sure that the Decision Support Tool has been followed and completed correctly.

Ultimately even if you employ the top QC in the country the whole principal and process rests on the evidence and the outcome of the assessment. The solicitors will always have to rely on a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team.

PetrolTed

34,464 posts

326 months

Tuesday 2nd March 2010
quotequote all
We went through this a few months back with my mother. I read up on the assessment questionnaire and I sat in on some of the assessment meetings. I couldn't see how they could deny that the care she needed (which the NHS was giving at the time) was within CC parameters. It was however denied.

In our particular circumstances it was a decision we were prepared to accept.

As it happened she took a rapid turn for the worse and long term care wasn't required frown

jamesuk28

2,176 posts

276 months

Tuesday 2nd March 2010
quotequote all
PetrolTed said:
We went through this a few months back with my mother. I read up on the assessment questionnaire and I sat in on some of the assessment meetings. I couldn't see how they could deny that the care she needed (which the NHS was giving at the time) was within CC parameters. It was however denied.

In our particular circumstances it was a decision we were prepared to accept.

As it happened she took a rapid turn for the worse and long term care wasn't required frown
Been there too, sympathies and chin up.

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

91,117 posts

288 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2010
quotequote all
2 5HAN said:
Not sure of your situation or the problems you are facing but have you tried looking for a local Care Consultant with Continuing Health Care CHC experience?
Thanks very much for your idea - I've never heard a 'local Care Consultant with Continuing Health Care CHC experience'. Where could I find the kind of people you describe? (would prefer recommendation rather than google)

2 5HAN

702 posts

254 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2010
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Will mail you back shortly
Shan