Biography
I am an associate solicitor in the Public Law & Human Rights department. My main specialisms are community care, mental capacity, health and welfare and Court of Protection.
I am very experienced in bringing judicial reviews on a wide range of matters, usually with a focus on welfare and/or health. I have experience in challenging local authorities' consultations to amend policies, practices in regard to service provision, such as closing care homes and day centres, as well as challenging decisions to restructure NHS services such as hospital and community-based services.
I have experience in bringing complex cases requiring careful planning to ensure that the best outcomes can be obtained for my clients, including consideration whether the cases are best dealt with through judicial review or by the Court of Protection or the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court. My work often involves negotiation of care packages where several funders and state bodies are involved.
I regularly work with people with disabilities and conscious that they often require assistance due to difficulties in them being able to access the care and support that they need and we are their last hope of getting support and being able to lead as normal a life as possible.
I am regularly instructed to act in Court of Protection proceedings concerning issues such as what is in the person’s best interests in terms of their care needs, residence, contact and deprivation of liberty. I have acted on behalf of adults who lack capacity to make the relevant decisions as well as family members.
Notable Cases
- London Borough of Tower Hamlets v R (X) [2013] EWCA Civ 904
- R (X) v London Borough of Tower Hamlets [2013] EWHC 480 (Admin)
- R (TT) v London Borough of Merton [2012] EWHC 2055 (Admin)
- DY & A Council and A NHS Trust [2022] EWCOP 51
- R (on the application of Sarah Becker) v Plymouth City Council [2022] EWHC 1885 (Admin)
- HD (capacity to Engage in Sexual Relations) [2021] EWCOP 15
- R (on the application of Luke Davey) v Oxfordshire County Council and EHRC [2017] EWHC 354 (Admin)
Testimonials
"Rebecca Chapman is outstanding on children's issues. She sees the whole problem and solutions for it. She's great with clients and gets great results." - Legal 500, 2025
A client: "Fantastic representation during a 21A challenge."
Mother of a disabled child represented in judicial review proceedings:
“I honestly cannot thank you ladies enough for your hard work and everlasting patience whilst dealing with proceedings. I owe so much to you all most importantly, maintaining the safety of both the girls in December, that's a debt I'll never be able to repay. The knowledge I've gained during this process has enabled me to help empower other parent carers to gain desperately needed packages of support (two successful packages and one DFG extension) so please know you've not only had a profound effect on our lives but on others.
Father of adult with complex needs represented in Court of Protection proceedings:
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank yourself & Alice for your expert support in representing [A], which in turn has helped our family. [A] moving to a single dwelling home along with a bespoke care package wasn't easy to achieve, particularly 2 local authorities involved but it is what's needed to meet [A]'s complex needs and Irwin Mitchell was instrumental in navigating the way throughout the court proceedings.”
