Wolferstans’ Court of Protection Team

The Court of Protection team at Wolferstans consists of 10 team members. The team is made up of Solicitors, Legal Executives, Legal Assistants and Paralegals all bringing extensive experience to each matter.

Every Court of Protection client has had a different experience and we are able to provide a bespoke package so that we can adapt to support each client

Experience within the team includes:

• Deputy Management • Attorney Management • Care Funding • Personal Injury and Trusts • Clinical Negligence • Court Applications

The Court of Protection team realise that when a person is losing capacity to make some decisions , it can be very distressing for the people surrounding them and our aim is to take a personal and sympathetic approach when dealing with all clients and their family and friends.

We aim to work with our clients to assist them to manage their affairs and to build a positive relationship with their wider support network, so our clients’ affairs runs as smoothly as possible.

Find out more about our Court of Protection services.

Samantha Buckthought is the Senior Private Client Partner at the firm and is a Panel Deputy for the Court of Protection; one of only approximately 70 in the country. This is a prestigious appointment which recognises her skill and expertise over many years supporting people to manage their financial affairs.

Samantha often acts as Deputy, Attorney and Trustee.

She is also a skilled litigator and private client lawyer, acting in administration of estates, will drafting and estate and tax planning for both simple and complex and high value estates. She is a member of COPPA, the Institute of Legacy Management and the Law Society Private Client Section.

Sophie O’Connell, Head of Court of Protection, supports clients to manage their financial affairs when Samantha Buckthought has been appointed as deputy or the client has appointed the partners at Wolferstans as their attorneys.

Sophie is experienced in making applications to the Court of Protection for both property and affairs, personal welfare deputies and statutory wills. Sophie provides support to family members who have been appointed as deputies and attorneys. This includes advice on health and social care funding as well as Court of Protection matters. Sheis a member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), the Law Society Private Client Committee and an affiliated member of STEP.

Sophie works with clients who have an acquired brain injury, including adults and children, elderly clients, clients with learning disabilities and clients with mental health problems. She often works with complex cases and this involves clients’ wider network of support such as case managers, therapists, social workers, family members and financial advisers.

Sophie leads the Court of Protection Team at Wolferstans, a growing team which specialises in Court of Protection matters. The team operates within the framework of the Deputy Standards, working with clients and their wider support network to assist them to manage their affairs and provide bespoke support.

Corrin Masters, a Legal Assistant in the Court of Protection Team, has experience of supporting clients to manage their property and financial affairs. She works with elderly clients clients with an acquired brain injury and clients with learning disabilities. . She is also experienced in making applications to the Court of Protection.

Nadia Kelley, a Graduate Legal Executive in the Court of Protection team, has a wealth of experience in making applications to the Court of Protection and in supporting clients to manage their affairs.

Nadia supports a range of clients including those with an acquired brain injury and elderly clients. She also works with clients who have appointed Partners at Wolferstans their attorneys. She is experienced in making applications to the Court of Protection including invoking security bonds. Nadia advises family members who have been appointed as deputies and attorneys on care funding, S117 after care and Court of Protection matters. She also advises on and prepares Personal Injury Trusts.

Alexandra Laity, Legal Assistant, joined the Court of Protection team in June 2018 and has over 15 years’ experience of working with vulnerable adults on behalf of the local authority. Alexandra spent 10 years as a technical expert on the Court of Protection team where she dealt with some of the more complex cases and specialised in working with young adults with learning disabilities.s.

Alexandra also spent 5 years as a visiting officer, assessing clients contributions towards care packages and residential stays. She is experienced in dealing with local authority care packages, processes and financial assessments.

Hannah Goodwin, Solicitor in the Court of Protection team, transferred to the team in April 2018 and now handles a case load supporting clients to manage their finances and affairs.

The majority of Hannah’s clients lack capacity to manage their financial affairs as a result of an acquired brain injury. Many have substantial assets as a result of a successful personal injury or clinical negligence claim. Some clients have on going claims so her background in personal injury is helpful in understanding the civil court’s processes and being able to liaise appropriately with the interested parties.

Hannah also manages the finances and affairs of clients who have named Partners of the firm as their attorney. Hannah is also part of the team who prepare and advise on Personal Injury Trusts.

Vicky Furzeland, a Legal Assistant in the Court of Protection Team since 2014, is experienced in preparing applications to the Court of Protection to appoint property and financial affairs deputies as well as preparing applications for specific Orders including Family Care Payments, Trustee Orders and bespoke authorities. She also manages a varied case load of clients supporting them and managing their property and financial affairs as well as completing annual financial reports and assisting family members who are deputies with general advice and help.