Biography
I qualified as a Solicitor in January 2012 and practised as a criminal defence solicitor until April 2015 when I decided to specialise in the Court of Protection. I made this move having learnt of the Court of Protection a few years after qualification and immediately recognised the crucial role it plays in protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
I am an experienced litigator and advocate having qualified with Higher Rights of Audience. I enjoy working with vulnerable people and find my work in the Court of Protection extremely humbling and rewarding.
As a Partner, I manage the team of Court of Protection Solicitors and Paralegals in the London office. The Court of Protection department helps vulnerable people look after their property and financial affairs.
In my role, most of my clients have received multi-million pound settlements as a result of serious injury or medical negligence. I specialise in advising on the management of those personal injury damages, either through the medium of a Court of Protection Deputyship or through a Trust. I am appointed by the Court of Protection to act as a professional deputy for people who have lost capacity to manage their financial affairs. I also act as a professional Trustee.
My role is extremely diverse and includes:
- Making of initial applications for deputyship
- Investment of funds
- Chairing annual meetings with clients and family members
- Chairing Post Settlement Meetings and putting budgets in place
- Employment and management of large care packages
- Sale or purchase of property
- Adaptation works to properties
- Making Statutory Wills
- Acting as an Expert Witness in litigation proceedings
What inspired you to get into law?
Like many in the personal services sector, it is all about helping people and making a difference to their lives.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
Making a difference to the quality of life for my clients’ and their family; from the absolute necessities such as purchasing much needed equipment, setting up care and therapy packages, buying property and adapting it to suit the clients’ needs; to the fun stuff, sending them packing on a well deserved holiday or adventure to live their best life.
What do you like about working at Irwin Mitchell?
The people! We all live the approachable and caring values which makes it a wonderful place to work.
What do you do away from the office?
I have a young family and dog and enjoy walks and being outside and active.
Testimonials
"We transferred our daughter’s deputyship to Irwin Mitchell last year and we could not have been happier with the service provided by Farah and her team. We have been so impressed with her attention to detail, responsiveness and empathy. Our daughter is a high tech communication aid user and she finds both Katie (Deputy) and Farah very easy to talk with...
"All the staff within the Court of Protection team - including Olivia and the other paralegals - have been so helpful with our case, responding promptly and positively to our endless questions! It is a thumbs up from our daughter and us!" - 5* Google review
"A charismatic and talented lawyer. Clients warm to her instantly and value her sensible well thought out advice." - Legal 500, 2023
'Knowledgeable senior professional with a good working understanding of client’s needs.' - Legal 500, 2022
'I was incredibly impressed with how approachable, friendly, professional and knowledgeable both Katie Strong and Alice Cullingworth were. I would not hesitate to recommend their expertise, especially when you are dealing with a highly emotional family matter. Both Katie and Alice genuinely care about their clients and that comes across so reassuringly.' - 5* Trustpilot review
Publications
Rathbones: Court of Protection and conveyancing – a guide for practitioners
BABICM Winter Edition 2022
Irwin Mitchell LLP Case Management Due Diligence – teasing out the nuances
