Business Details
21 Years
experience
Expert Mental Health & Court of Protection Legal Services
We are a specialist law firm providing expert legal advice and representation in Mental Health Law and Court of Protection Law. Established in 2005 and based in Taunton, Somerset, we combine extensive regional expertise with nationwide reach. Our team of highly skilled solicitors is dedicated to protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals while maintaining the highest professional standards. Recognised in the Devon and Somerset Law Society Awards and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, we offer a client-focused service with a commitment to excellence.Our specialists handle complex cases including Mental Health Tribunals, Court of Protection proceedings, Judicial Reviews, and Inquests. We prioritise accessibility through Legal Aid funding assessments and provide competitively priced training courses for professionals. With decades of combined experience, we ensure every client receives tailored support and robust legal representation.
Services
Mental Health Law
Court of Protection
Judicial Review
Inquests Representation
Social Care Law
Legal Training
Legal Aid Assessment
Lasting Power of Attorney
Deputyship Applications
Funding Dispute Resolution
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We have over 15 years' experience in mental health law specialism
- Our team consists of certified mental health law specialists
- We provide nationwide legal representation beyond our South West base
- We offer Legal Aid funding assessments for eligible clients
- Recognised in Devon and Somerset Law Society Awards for excellence
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
What people say
Professional and very helpful
Impressed by quality of advice
Fantastic outcome
Excellent advice and support
Capable hands
Services
Mental Health Law
We specialise in Mental Health Act 1983 cases, representing patients at Mental Health Tribunals and advising on detention rights. Our expertise covers hospital in-patients, community patients, and prisoners. We provide nationwide representation for both Legal Aid and private clients.
Court of Protection
We advise on Mental Capacity Act 2005 applications, including deputyships, lasting powers of attorney, and deprivation of liberty cases. Our team handles both contentious and non-contentious matters for families, IMCAs, and the Official Solicitor.
Inquests Representation
Our specialists support families and interested parties through inquest processes following deaths in care settings or custody. We assist with witness statements, pre-inquest hearings, and post-inquest legal claims, with Legal Aid available where applicable.
Judicial Review
We challenge public body decisions affecting mental health rights, including funding refusals and hospital transfers. Our team handles complex cases involving clinical commissioning groups, health trusts, and Ministry of Justice decisions.
Social Care Law
We help clients secure appropriate social care support and challenge funding decisions by local authorities. Our services include care planning advice and representation for vulnerable individuals and their families.
People
Michael Butler
Consultant Solicitor
Founder of Butler & Co Solicitors & Co Solicitors & Co in 2005, Michael qualified as a solicitor in 1992 after studying at Warwick University and the College of Law. He specialises in mental health law and leads our team with over 30 years' legal experience.
Catrin Blake
Director
Catrin joined Butler & Co Solicitors & Co Solicitors & Co in 2009 as a Director. She specialises in mental health law and Court of Protection matters, bringing extensive experience in representing vulnerable clients and families in complex legal cases.
Chris Heery
Director
Chris has been with Butler & Co Solicitors & Co Solicitors & Co since 2009, specialising in mental health law. He represents clients in Mental Health Tribunals and Court of Protection proceedings, focusing on protecting clients' rights and best interests.
Eleanor Bulmer
Solicitor
Eleanor is a finalist in the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards (Social Welfare category). She specialises in mental health and social care law, providing expert representation for vulnerable clients across the UK.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialise in?
We specialise in Mental Health Law, Court of Protection, Judicial Review, Inquests, and Social Care Law, providing expert legal representation and advice across these specialist areas.
Do you offer Legal Aid funding?
Yes, most of our work is available through Legal Aid. We assess eligibility during initial consultations and provide services for privately paying clients too.
Can you help with Court of Protection matters?
Yes, we handle all aspects of Court of Protection work including deputyships, lasting powers of attorney, and challenging deprivation of liberty decisions under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Do you operate nationwide?
While based in Taunton, Somerset, our reputation for expertise means we receive instructions from clients across the UK and provide nationwide legal representation.
