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Oliver Lewis

@droliverlewis.bsky.social
395 followers 84 following 93 posts

Health and human rights barrister at @DoughtyStPublic. linktr.ee/droliverlewis. Views my own

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Reposted by Oliver Lewis
Doughty Street Chambers @doughtystreet.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗽𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 Oliver Lewis (@droliverlewis.bsky.social) was instructed by Bríd Doherty at @hodgejonesallen.bsky.social to represent Richard’s family. ➡️ www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/unlawfu...
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Humanities & Social Sciences @hss.springernature.com · 24/07/2026
💙📚 Don't miss the Springer book 'What If Maslow Was Wrong? #Safety vs. #Autonomy in Decision-Making for Older Adults.' This book explores the tension between safety and autonomy when it comes to decision-making for older adults. bit.ly/4bAOx4A #GeronSky 📊🩺
What If Maslow Was Wrong?
Safety vs. Autonomy in Decision-Making for Older Adults
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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · 19/06/2026
Video released earlier this week by @theipaper.com regarding children across England and the use of seclusion rooms, based on findings from the ICARS Isolation, Seclusion and Removal Room Survey 2026. #AgainstRestraint
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Reposted by Oliver Lewis
Rightful Lives @rightfullives.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Statement on the recent Supreme Court DoLS judgement. We are concerned at how this sits against the background of everything else that is currently eroding the rights of autistic people and people with learning disabilities. rightfullives.org.uk/blog/statement-on-the-supreme-court-dols-judgement/
rightfullives.org.uk
Statement on the Supreme Court DoLS Judgement – Rightful Lives
The recent weakening of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) protections is not an isolated development. It forms part of a wider and deeply concerning pattern in which the rights of autistic people and people with learning disabilities are being steadily eroded across health, social care and education.
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Reposted by Oliver Lewis
Ann (she/her) @agvbergin.net · 06/06/2026
Just in case you didn't see it, this very short video is an excellent summary of the key points. bsky.app/profile/drol...
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
.@mencap.org.uk, @mind.org.uk and @autisticsociety.bsky.social said this week’s Supreme Court judgment “removes safeguards that history shows us are vital for disabled people” while introducing a “regressive legal standard” across the NHS and social care. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Ruling removes ‘vital’ UK safeguards for severely disabled people, charities warn
Campaigners say supreme court judgment on deprivation of liberty safeguards introduces ‘regressive legal standard’
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Katie Fenn @katiefenn.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
A good primer on the judgment in the Supreme Court this week that erased rights depended on by disabled people for the last decade. The clock is running backwards on human rights in the UK.
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
So pleased for Claire who is an absolute superstar! ✨✨
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Reposted by Oliver Lewis
Learning Disability England @learningdiseng.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
The UK Supreme Court has changed the way the law works on whether a disabled person is being deprived of their liberty if they cannot make the decision themselves. You can read Learning Disability England's statement and find out more here: tinyurl.com/45jzxyfj
tinyurl.com
Supreme Court Judgement on Deprivation of Liberty - Learning Disability England
The UK Supreme Court has changed the way the law on whether a disabled person is being deprived of their liberty if they cannot make the decision themselves.  This means that the rules on Deprivation ...
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Sally Witcher @salwitcher.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Disabled people's rights in the UK are under wholesale attack from multiple directions. This Supreme Court ruling today is the latest example and it is utterly appalling. I could weep. youtu.be/bojHxNTjDAI?...
youtu.be
UK Supreme Court abolishes the 'acid test'
YouTube video by Oliver Lewis
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Lena Midnight @lenamidnight.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
A worthwhile watch to help understand the erosion of rights going on here
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Doughty Street Chambers @doughtystreet.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 ‘𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁’ 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 ➡️https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/supreme-court-abolishes-acid-test-determining-deprivation-liberty-disabled-people
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Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Supreme Court have basically taken away the right to challenge being 'kept prisoner', if you are a person in a care home setting. Major charities are aghast. So are families.
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Paolo Sandro @paolosandro.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
This is a crystal-clear analysis explaining why the UKSC decision yesterday that overturned Cheshire West is appalling (add it to the list). Thanks to @droliverlewis.bsky.social for this public service
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Reposted by Oliver Lewis
KD Smith @kd-smith.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Disturbing thread. UK Supreme Court has ruled to revoke human rights of yet another marginalised group - disabled people. This video from @droliverlewis.bsky.social especially offers a clear explanation of the ruling and the horrific implications. Worth a watch. bsky.app/profile/drol...
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Reposted by Oliver Lewis
Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
The UK Supreme Court has abolished the ‘acid test’ to see if a disabled person is deprived of their liberty. Here’s a short video explainer www.youtube.com/watch?v=bojH...
youtube.com
UK Supreme Court abolishes the 'acid test'
YouTube video by Oliver Lewis
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
The UK Supreme Court has abolished the ‘acid test’ to see if a disabled person is deprived of their liberty. Here’s a short video explainer www.youtube.com/watch?v=bojH...
youtube.com
UK Supreme Court abolishes the 'acid test'
YouTube video by Oliver Lewis
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Reposted by Oliver Lewis
Ian Birrell @ianbirrell.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
So many broken promises and missed targets - so 15 years after the ‘watershed’ of Winterbourne View, autistic people & citizens with learning disabilities still suffer state-sanctioned abuse. My @theipaper.com column on a scandal dragging on in plain sight inews.co.uk/opinion/auti...
inews.co.uk
Autistic people are enduring state-sanctioned torture in the UK. Yet we do nothing
Beneath the surface of each scandal is the medically and morally indefensible system
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Roll up, roll up! 🎉 30% off my book until 24 May! www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/coercive-...
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
📚 In her book review, Emma Sutton KC (Chair of the Court of Protection Bar Association) says my book "is an authoritative text providing a serious contribution to a developing area of law". It "both reflects and advances an important shift in contemporary legal thought." 📚
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
My book 'Coercive Control and Vulnerable Adults' was launched last week 🥳 Thanks to King LJ, Emma Sutton KC, Akua Agyepong and Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon) for speaking on the panel chaired by Mary-Rachel McCabe
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
📚 Excited to share my book 'Coercive Control and Vulnerable Adults' 👉 Law & procedure in the Court of Protection & under the inherent jurisdiction 👉 Trauma and domestic abuse 👉 How to represent a local authority / a perpetrator / a victim/survivor www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/coercive-...
bloomsburyprofessional.com
Coercive Control and Vulnerable Adults
"The publication of this book is most welcome. Dr Oliver Lewis' expertise in medical ethics and human rights law add a depth and breadth to its content whi…
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Reposted by Oliver Lewis
Alex Ruck Keene @capacitylaw.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Book review: Coercive Control and Vulnerable Adults: Law and Practice under the Court of Protection and the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court Book Review: Oliver Lewis, Coercive Control and Vulnerable Adults: Law and Practice under the Court of Protection and the Inherent Jurisdiction of the…
mentalcapacitylawandpolicy.org.uk
Book review: Coercive Control and Vulnerable Adults: Law and Practice under the Court of Protection and the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court
Book Review: Oliver Lewis, Coercive Control and Vulnerable Adults: Law and Practice under the Court of Protection and the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court (Bloomsbury, 2026, 242 pp, hardback / ebook, £48.60) If I have done one useful thing in the past few years, it was to have a conversation with the barrister (and CRPD specialist) Dr Oliver Lewis…
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
My book "Coercive control and vulnerable adults: Law and Practice in the Court of Protection and under the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court" comes out next week, but I've already received some copies. Order here: bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/coercive-... and DM me for a discount code 😉
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Today I returned from the The International Coercive Control Conference in New York, where professionals from around the world came together to examine how systems respond to coercive and controlling behaviour.
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
As someone with Hungarian heritage who lived in Budapest for 14 years, is married to a Hungarian and has many Hungarian relatives and friends, I’m delighted that Tisza is in powerand @magyarpeterMP is PM. Here’s to a new beginning. Gratulárok, magyarok! 🇭🇺 🗳️ 🥂
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
A significant legal milestone in Scotland. A jury has found a perpetrator of domestic abuse including #coercivecontrol, guilty of 'culpable homicide' of his partner Kimberly Milne, who died by suicide. news.sky.com/story/lee-mi...
news.sky.com
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Doughty Street Chambers @doughtystreet.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
On 2 February 2026, an inquest jury in Horsham found that multiple failings in mental health care contributed to the death of 16-year-old Ellame Ford-Dunn on 20 March 2022. Read more: www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/risk-te...
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Doughty Street Chambers @doughtystreet.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
UK Supreme Court hears disability rights case - the judgment, expected to be handed down next year, has UK-wide implications for people with learning disabilities, brain injury or dementia, mental health problems, and autistic people. @droliverlewis.bsky.social was instructed by Irwin Mitchell.
doughtystreet.co.uk
UK Supreme Court hears disability rights case
It is permissible under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) for the law to say that a person who lacks capacity to consent to their care arrangements can nevertheless give valid consent
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
I'm doing a remote talk with the lovely people at Thalamos at 12:30pm today Monday (22 Sept) to support NHS leaders to prepare for when the Mental Health Bill becomes law. Sign up here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a6127d...
events.teams.microsoft.com
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Baby Z sadly died last week after life-sustaining treatment was withdrawn. Asma Nizami and I represented the baby’s lovely parents before Theis J in the Family Division, instructed by Irwin Mitchell www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWH...
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Reposted by Oliver Lewis
Doughty Street Chambers @doughtystreet.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲-𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 - @droliverlewis.bsky.social represented the family on a direct access and pro bono basis, spending over 150 hours on the case since March 2025.
doughtystreet.co.uk
Court of Protection removes barriers for anorexic woman to receive life-saving treatment
London, 31 July 2025.
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Doughty Street Chambers @doughtystreet.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Today, 19 May 2025, the UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights published its report on the Mental Health Bill. Our Ulele Burnham gave oral evidence to the committee and Oliver Lewis (@droliverlewis.bsky.social) provided evidence in written submissions.
doughtystreet.co.uk
Mental Health Bill – the Joint Committee on Human Rights speaks
Today, 19 May 2025, the UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights published its report on the Ment
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Lovely write-up by @jordan-briggs.bsky.social of our recent event on autism and learning disability in the #MHBill. With @rightfullives.bsky.social @aquinnunbroken.bsky.social @lisaperry.bsky.social @doughtystreet.bsky.social insights.doughtystreet.co.uk/post/102k68x...
insights.doughtystreet.co.uk
A Deep Dive into the Mental Health Bill 2024 – Autism and Learning Disability (via Passle)
On 4 March 2025, Dr Oliver Lewis held the third seminar in Doughty Street Chambers’ series about the Mental Health Bill 2024 (‘the Bill’), as amended. H...
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
“It is far too early to let this 25-year-old woman die when medical treatment is available that could prevent her death.” I’m representing the extraordinary family of an anorexic & autistic woman who now weighs 19kg. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
telegraph.co.uk
NHS refuses to force-feed anorexic woman at ‘imminent’ risk of death
Family of 25-year-old ‘finds it strange that NHS has chance to save her life but is refusing to take it’, court told
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
I’m in Geneva today, and presented on behalf of @inclusionintl.bsky.social at the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ day of discussion on the right to political participation. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/oliver-... @doughtystreet.bsky.social
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Here’s the video recording of our webinar last week on autism, learning disability and the #MentalHealthBill. Thanks to all who spoke and watched! youtu.be/oM53rBKkLEM @rightfullives.bsky.social @learningdisability.bsky.social
youtu.be
A deep dive into the Mental Health Bill 2024 - Autism and learning disability
YouTube video by Doughty Street Chambers
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Lydia Wilkins @journo-lydia.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
A wonderful evening hosted by @doughtystreet.bsky.social on the impact of the forthcoming Mental Health Bill. What happens with the removal of learning disability & autism when there’s no community provision?
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
😃With @rightfullives.bsky.social, I'm co-organising an event about learning disability, autism and the #MHBill 📢 Fab speakers, all have experience of MHA detention 📅 Tues 4 March at 6pm 📍At @doughtystreet.bsky.social and on Zoom Register here www.doughtystreet.co.uk/event/deep-d...
doughtystreet.co.uk
A deep dive into the Mental Health Bill 2024
A deep dive into the Mental Health Bill 2024Detention and treatmentThursday 27th February 2025 | 18:00 - 19:30Location: Online via ZoomIn the second webinar of this series Sophy Miles and Elizabeth Cl...
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
UK Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights has published my written evidence on the Mental Health Bill. l suggested amendments that would advance the rights of persons with learning disabilities and/or autism #MHBill buff.ly/4hHhfBL
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
UK Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights has published my written evidence on the Mental Health Bill. l suggested amendments that would advance the rights of persons with learning disabilities and/or autism #MHBill buff.ly/4hHhfBL
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ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion @againstrestraint.com · 16/02/2025
Private schools receiving millions of pounds of taxpayer cash to educate children with special needs have used excessive restraint on pupils and failed to manage their behaviour, leaving them “at risk of harm”, The i Paper can reveal. #RestraintForRevenue inews.co.uk/news/educati...
inews.co.uk
Children ‘at risk of harm’ in SEND schools charging taxpayer fees of up to £116k
Chaotic behaviour, pupil distress and injured staff found by Ofsted in private SEND schools run by Witherslack, as parents consider legal action over use of restraint
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
AP is a lovely young man with learning disabilities and autism. He experienced significant harm while being detained in a "s.136 suite" in a mental health hospital for a whopping 340 days. A Human Rights Act claim has resulted in a settlement. 1/4 www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/justice...
doughtystreet.co.uk
Justice for AP: Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust pays damages following detention and seclusion of man with learning disabilities and autism for 340 days
The High Court has approved the settlement of a civil claim brought by Bindmans client ‘AP’, by which Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust will pay significant damages for the detention and treatment
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Today I went with an instructing solicitor on a home visit to meet my client, a young autistic man with learning disabilities. Through his mum who interpreted his sounds, words and movements, I learned about the way he communicates, about his hobbies and talents, and his wishes and worries.
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Welcome news. From today, offenders serving a sentence of at least 12 months for controlling or coercive behaviour will be automatically managed under multi-agency public protection arrangements (Mappa)
buff.ly
Coercive control to be put on par with other types of domestic abuse in England and Wales
Police and probation services will be legally required to share with one another information that suggests offenders are risk to others
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
It’s worth watching Trudeau’s excellent speech in full youtu.be/xiaACQpFUfE
youtu.be
Trudeau: Canada will retaliate with 25% tariffs on $155B of U.S. goods
YouTube video by CBC News
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
I’m reading a lot more CBC these days, to understand the Canadian take on Trump, and now the bonkers tarrifs. The idea in this article is quite something! www.cbc.ca/news/world/c...
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | With its U.S. alliance under pressure, could Canada join the EU? | CBC News
Relations between Canada and the U.S. are coming under serious pressure — and that has some commentators offering an unlikely — though not impossible — solution. What if Canada joined the European Uni...
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Court of Appeal provides guidance on how an appeal court should proceed if capacity to conduct the appeal is in question www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/oliver-...
doughtystreet.co.uk
Oliver Lewis and Beth Grossman appear in Court of Appeal on contempt and capacity
Oliver Lewis and Beth Grossman appeared in the C
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Lovely column by dear Ol!
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Oliver Lewis @droliverlewis.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Thank you London Court of Protection Practitioners Association for hosting an interesting seminar on coercive and controlling behaviour 1/3
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