31. The Court of Protection and cases involving children

Learning Aims:

To provide a greater understanding about the legal framework for the management of money for children. To help case managers to better understand why certain decisions are made regarding trusts and deputyships for children.

What will attendees learn?

Attendees will learn about the legal framework for management of money for children. The presentation will include an explanation about the options available to the Court and why some children who are in receipt of compensation awards have trusts in place as opposed to deputyships. Information will also be provided about the option of leaving funds awarded to children in the Court Funds Office.

How will attendees benefit from the webinar?

Attendees will benefit from a more holistic understanding of the their client’s circumstances and the options available.

Who is the webinar for?

Case Managers and therapists working with children and young adults.

Meet the Presenter:

Tom Hall, Partner

Email: tom.hall@hughjames.com

Contact Number: 0808 501 6670

Expertise:

Court of Protection (COP) Court of Protection Expert Witness Services Court of Protection Lay Deputy Services Court of Protection Professional Deputy Services

Tom is a partner and head of the firm’s Court of Protection Department. He has specialised exclusively in this area since 2012. Tom joined Hugh James in September 2022, having previously been a partner at Thomson Snell & Passmore.

The majority of Tom’s clients are brain injury survivors who have received compensation awards. Tom is also often instructed to prepare expert witness statements regarding Court of Protection costs to assist with ongoing personal injury and clinical negligence claims.

Tom is highly personable and has developed a reputation for building strong relationships with his clients, their families and wider support networks. He takes particular pride in supporting and empowering clients to maximise their decision-making capacity.

Tom is regularly invited to speak to personal injury solicitors, charities and professional deputies about Court of Protection related issues. He has previously spoken at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ annual conference as well as the Chase De Vere annual deputyship conference.

Tom has also recently had articles published in the STEP Journal, Personal Injury Law Journal and the New Law Journal.

Tom is ranked as a ‘key lawyer’ for Court of Protection work in the Legal 500 directory.

Tom is also an affiliate member of STEP having completed the STEP Advanced Certificate in Will Preparation in 2014 and the STEP Diploma in Advising Vulnerable Clients in 2017. He is also a member of the Professional Deputies Forum.

Tom has volunteered for Headway (Swindon) and has raised money for Headway groups by taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge and completing the Severn Bridge half marathon.

Career History

• Partner at Hugh James: 2022
• Partner at Thomson Snell & Passmore LLP: 2021
• Solicitor, Associate Solicitor and Senior Associate at Thrings LLP / Hyphen Law: 2011 to
• 2021 (the Court of Protection team at Thrings LLP became Hyphen Law in 2013)
• Qualified at Thrings LLP: 2011
• Trained at Thrings LLP: 2009

Education

• Swansea University, LPC: 2009
• Swansea University, joint honours Law and History: 2008

Memberships

• Affiliate member of STEP
• Professional Deputies Forum
• Law Society