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Susanna’s healthcare practice focuses on mental health law and best interests cases, where she is punching above her weight. She is regularly in the Court of Protection in care and welfare cases, and has appeared in both the High Court and Court of Appeal in a treatment-withdrawal case. Susanna’s practice in mental health law spans judicial review, tribunal work at first instance and the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber), where she has appeared twice in the past year. She acts for both Trusts and patients.
In her broader healthcare practice she accepts instructions in matters relating to hospitals, care homes and health-care generally. She recently acted for the Care Quality Commission in an urgent application for closure of a care home.
Mental Health / Best interests
Susanna is instructed to advise and represent in mental health cases and acts in DOLS/best interests and welfare cases in the Court of Protection, where she is used to appearing against much more senior counsel. Prior to joining the bar she was an associate 'Hospital Manager' for a large mental health Trust, reviewing the detention of patients. Susanna’s mental health practice includes experience of cases raising issues around s117 after-care, continuing care, the overlap between the MHA and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and challenges to MHA detention brought by way of habeas corpus/judicial review.
Clinical negligence
Susanna is instructed on behalf of Claimants and Defendants in all aspects of clinical negligence work, including the drafting of Particulars of Claim and Defences and advising. She is regularly willing to act for claimants on a CFA basis.
Confidentiality of medical records
Susanna has experience of advising hospitals and healthcare professionals of their duties in relation to medical records, including advising on the disclosure of medical records to third parties.
Inquests and Inquiries
Susanna accepts instructions to represent families, doctors, Hospital Trusts and the Police at inquests throughout the UK, and she is willing to act on a pro bono basis where appropriate.
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