Biography
I’m a Paralegal in the Public Law and Human Rights team based in Sheffield. My work focuses primarily on health and welfare matters in the Court of Protection, particularly cases involving complex mental capacity disputes and best interests decisions. I regularly work on matters where our team is instructed by a litigation friend, often the Official Solicitor, to represent vulnerable individuals. I also support matters involving family members and local authorities.
My role involves ensuring that individuals’ rights are not only protected but actively promoted, with a strong focus on the correct application and, where appropriate, development of legal principles and processes. I frequently work on cases that explore the least restrictive options for individuals who lack capacity to make specific decisions, ensuring compliance with statutory duties and case law while promoting their autonomy and dignity. I also contribute to judicial review work, particularly in matters involving failures in health and social care provision. I am deeply committed to safeguarding the rights of vulnerable individuals and supporting them through complex and often sensitive legal proceedings.
Key highlights
- Regularly work on Court of Protection cases involving complex capacity issues and best interests decisions
- Support deprivation of liberty challenges under sections 16 and 21A of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, ensuring legal safeguards are properly applied
- Assist in judicial review proceedings concerning failures in health and social care provision for vulnerable individuals
- Help ensure that client’s human rights are respected in welfare proceedings.
What do you like about working at Irwin Mitchell?
Irwin Mitchell is an incredibly supportive and collaborative place to work. The Public Law and Human Rights team is made up of passionate and highly skilled professionals who are true experts in their field. There is a strong culture of learning, encouragement, and shared purpose, which makes it an ideal environment to grow and develop. I feel proud to be part of a team that is genuinely committed to making a difference in people’s lives.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
Meeting clients and seeing the real impact of our work is incredibly rewarding. Many of the individuals we support are vulnerable and face significant challenges in their daily lives. Being part of a process that helps secure positive outcomes, such as accessing the care and support they need, achieving changes that improve their wellbeing, or promoting their autonomy, gives real meaning to what we do. It is a privilege to contribute to lasting improvements in people’s lives, especially when they may not have been able to achieve those outcomes without support.
What inspired you to get into law?
I have always been driven by a strong sense of justice and a desire to support those who may not have the means to advocate for themselves. A career in law offers a meaningful way to do that by combining critical thinking, empathy, and practical problem-solving to create real and lasting impact. Public law, in particular, allows me to be part of a system that protects individual rights, challenges inequality, and promotes fairness. It is a field where I can make a genuine difference, and that is exactly where I want to be.
What do you do away from the office?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, getting outdoors, and unwinding with a good book. I also love discovering new music and going to live gigs whenever I can and travelling when I get the opportunity. Whether it’s a quiet weekend or something more lively, I value time that helps me recharge and stay balanced.
