Business Details
23 Years
experience
Specialist Mental Health Law Solicitors
Established in 2003, Donovan-Newton Solicitors specialises in mental health and mental capacity law, offering expert legal representation and advice. Our team of accredited solicitors has extensive experience in advocating for clients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, representing them at Mental Health Tribunals and Hospital Managers' Reviews. We hold a contract with the Legal Aid Agency to provide services across the Midlands and East of England, ensuring accessible legal support for vulnerable individuals. Our practice includes challenging unlawful detentions, advising on aftercare provisions, and resolving disputes under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. We prioritise client-centred service, combining legal expertise with compassionate advocacy to protect clients' rights and liberties.Our solicitors are members of the Law Society's Mental Health Accreditation Scheme, reflecting our commitment to excellence. We also specialise in deprivation of liberty safeguards, court of protection proceedings, and representing nearest relatives in displacement cases. With offices in Derby, Nottingham, Coventry, Birmingham, and Lincoln, we serve clients regionally and nationally. Our team includes specialists in forensic mental health cases and complex capacity assessments, ensuring tailored solutions for each client's unique circumstances. We maintain rigorous professional standards, adhering to strict confidentiality and ethical guidelines in all our legal services.
Services
Mental Health Law
Mental Capacity Law
Tribunal Representation
Legal Aid Services
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- Established specialists since 2003 with dedicated mental health law expertise
- Holding Legal Aid Agency contract for accessible legal representation
- Accredited by Law Society's Mental Health Scheme for proven expertise
- Personalised advocacy for vulnerable clients in complex legal matters
- Regional coverage with offices across Midlands and East of England
Associations and certifications
- Law Society Mental Health Accreditation Scheme
- Legal Aid Agency
Services
Mental Health Law
Specialist legal representation for clients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. We provide tribunal advocacy, hospital managers' review support, and nearest relative displacement proceedings. Our solicitors advise on diagnosis, treatment rights, and aftercare provisions, ensuring compliance with legal standards while protecting clients' liberties through dedicated advocacy.
Mental Capacity Law
Expert guidance on mental capacity disputes under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. We handle deprivation of liberty safeguards, court of protection proceedings, and best interests determinations. Our team represents vulnerable individuals in residential placement disputes and welfare decision challenges, combining legal expertise with compassionate support to protect clients' rights and autonomy.
People
Simon Newton
Director
Qualified solicitor since 2000 with Law Society mental health accreditation. Co-founder of Donovan-Newton Solicitors in 2003, specialising in tribunal representation and mental health law department leadership.
Leanne Glover
Head of Mental Capacity Law
Senior solicitor with mental health and mental capacity accreditation. Leads Court of Protection department, specialising in Section 21A challenges and capacity assessments since joining in 2015.
Karen Charles
Consultant Solicitor
Qualified in 1992 with dual accreditation in mental health law. Specialises in tribunal representation and mental health act work, joining as consultant in 2016 after extensive legal career.
Emily Patterson
Solicitor
Mental health law specialist since 2010 with Law Society accreditation. Focuses on tribunal representation and forensic mental health cases across West Midlands and Worcestershire regions.
Julian Derry
Solicitor
Qualified in 2004 with mental health accreditation. Former Royal Air Force member specialising in tribunal representation and mental health law, covering West Midlands area.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialise in?
We specialise in mental health law under the Mental Health Act 1983 and mental capacity law under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Do you offer legal aid services?
Yes, we hold a Legal Aid Agency contract covering mental health law services across the Midlands and East of England.
Which regions do you cover?
We operate from Derby, Nottingham, Coventry, Birmingham, and Lincoln offices, serving clients regionally and nationally.
How can I arrange an appointment?
Contact any of our offices by phone or use our online contact form to schedule a consultation with our legal team.
What tribunal services do you provide?
We offer full representation at Mental Health Tribunals, Hospital Managers' Reviews, and Upper Tier Tribunal appeals.