Court of Protection and mental health tribunal specialist joins Field Court
Winsome Levy, a specialist in Court of Protection, mental health tribunal, adult social care and inquest cases, has joined Field Court Chambers.
Called to the Bar in 2003, Levy was a Forensic Mental Health Social Worker (AMHP) and for nearly 15 years was a specialist lay member on the Mental Health Review Tribunal.
She has extensive expertise in advising and representing local authorities, families and the Official Solicitor.
Some of her notable cases include:
- Re LW [2020] EWCOP 50 - she represented the local authority in its successful welfare application concerning LW, invoking the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction. LW lacked capacity to make decisions on residence, care and contact with others. The application included ceasing contact between LW and her abusive partner. Orders were made to evict him from LW’s home and prevented him from having contact with her.
- NM v Kent County Council [2015] UKUT 125 (AAC) - she represented Kent County Council in this case about NM who was subject to a s7 Guardianship Order under the Mental Health Act 1983 and deprivation of liberty safeguards. The Upper Tribunal examined the tension between the two and whether it was necessary for both s7 and DOLS to be in place.
- P v A Local Authority [2015] MHLO 140 - she acted for the local authority in a s21A Mental Capacity Act 2005 challenge to a Schedule A1 standard deprivation of liberty authorisation. The Court of Protection considered the issue of risk to self and others in the context of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Levy is also qualified to accept Direct Access clients.