Biography And Reviews
Hanna is an Associate in our Court of Protection team.
She is an experienced legal representative, who specialises in Health & Welfare cases. Having worked for the Local Authority for seven years, Hanna has advised on a wide variety of cases including challenges to Deprivations of Liberty (DOLS), s.16 applications and best interest decisions.
Hanna is an Accredited Legal Representative (ALR), authorised by the Law Society to represent individuals in the Court of Protection without the need for a litigation friend, ensuring their voice is directly heard in proceedings.
Originally passing the Bar and qualifying as a barrister, Hanna now prefers to see each case through to its conclusion via her work within the Local Authority and subsequently Ramsdens.
Hanna has post-graduate degrees in Mental Health Law and Biotechnology Law.
Hanna specialises in:
- Court of Protection (Health & Welfare) matters
- s.21A objections to deprivation of liberty
- s.16 Mental Capacity Act applications
- Disputes relating to care arrangements, residence, and contact
- Medical treatment, consent, and best interests decisions
- Mental capacity assessments and challenges
Hanna’s career highlights so far:
- Representing P in a complex s.16 Mental Capacity Act case involving the covert use of CCTV in a private care setting, raising issues of privacy, proportionality, and best interests.
- Acting in a case concerning significant hoarding behaviours, where the client lacked capacity to manage their environment and the local authority sought permission to enter and declutter a hazardous property.
- Instructed in an inherent jurisdiction case involving an elderly man at risk of physical and financial abuse from his son, despite being assessed as having capacity for contact — requiring creative safeguarding measures outside the scope of the MCA.
- Advising on a case involving covert medication and fluctuating capacity, balancing P’s strong objections with concerns around serious physical health risks.
- Supporting a family in securing contact with their adult daughter following an acrimonious breakdown in relationships, where P’s wishes and feelings evolved significantly during proceedings.
What is one legal myth that you’d love to dispel?
“That ‘Next of Kin’ is a real and legal position. It isn’t – it’s more akin to an emergency contact than anything else.”
What made you want to work in your role/law?
“After deciding the Bar wasn’t the right fit, I worked with several legal charities and realised I was most fulfilled supporting real people through real-life challenges. That led me to Court of Protection work, where I can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
Visit our Court of Protection section, for more information on our services, or alternatively, call our team on 01484 821 500.
From the first contact with Hanna Whitehead, she has been excellent… I am satisfied I could not have found a more competent and helpful solicitor. Whatever the eventual outcome, I shall be forever grateful to her professionalism and caring approach.” Court of Protection Client
“Hanna is a terrific lawyer. I highly recommend her legal services without hesitation. Not only is Hanna friendly and polite in an excellent professional manner, but she has fought my case endlessly.” Court of Protection Client