Biography
I am a senior associate in the Public Law & Human Rights department in Sheffield and joined Irwin Mitchell in 2012 from a leading family law firm in Birmingham.
I specialise in health and welfare cases in the Court of Protection and a broad range of judicial review cases, including challenges to the provision of community care and healthcare. I am instructed by individuals and charities challenging cuts to public services.
I acted for the claimant in the case of R (ZYN) v Walsall MBC [2014] EWHC 1918 (Admin), successfully challenging a local authority’s policy on social care charging.
I regularly act for vulnerable adults who lack mental capacity in the Court of Protection, instructed by the Official Solicitor in relation to disputes regarding their residence and care arrangements.
I also act for families in complex medical treatment cases. I represented the families in the cases of NHS Trust and Baby X and others [2012] EWHC 2188 and Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust v CD [2014] EWCOP 23, (2014).
At my previous firm I acted for local authorities, family members and guardians in public law children proceedings. I am an experienced advocate and undertake my own advocacy frequently.
Specialist Trainer
I co-deliver the Law Society’s two day training course for practitioners seeking accreditation under the Court of Protection and Law Society’s Mental Capacity (Welfare) Accreditation Scheme. The course is a mandatory requirement for practitioners seeking status as Accredited Legal Representatives appointed by the Court of Protection to represent individuals who lack capacity to make decisions on disputed welfare issues. The scheme also appoints Accredited Practitioners who are recognised as experts in the field. I update materials and regularly deliver the course on behalf of the Law Society. I'm an Accredited Legal Representative and also conduct my own advocacy.
Testimonials
“Stephen Cardinal is approachable, very good at getting to the issues and a pleasure to work with." - Chambers & Partners 2022 (Associate To Watch)
"He is excellent and proactive." – Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Associate to Watch)
"He is very experienced and is very sensible and easy to work with." – Chambers & Partners, 2020
"He's extremely knowledgeable - a very sensible and steady Court of Protection practitioner." – Chambers & Partners, 2019
"He has notable experience in disputes concerning capacity, treatment and residence." – Chambers & Partners, 2018
