Yvonne Chapman

Recognised in Chambers and Legal 500

'Yvonne Chapman is extremely bright and regularly raises issues that no other party has considered in order to promote the protected party’s best interests‘

‘Yvonne Chapman is an entirely committed practitioner. She possesses excellent knowledge of the law and procedure relating to the Court of Protection. She works tirelessly on each client’s behalf. She is quietly tenacious‘

Yvonne is a senior solicitor and Accredited Legal Representative (ALR) in the Court of Protection team based at Westgate House in Warwick.

Yvonne has specialised in mental capacity law since the Mental Capacity Act came into force. She has extensive knowledge and experience in the jurisdiction of the Court of Protection, working with vulnerable adults in relation to both health and welfare and financial matters. Yvonne has practised in this area for over 14 years. 

Yvonne is proud to hold the Mental Capacity (Welfare) Accreditation which means she can act as an Accredited Legal Representative for incapacitated adults in the Court of Protection.  This is a recognised quality standard for practitioners who offer advice and representation on health and welfare matters under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.  This specialist accreditation provides peace of mind to clients that Yvonne has the necessary knowledge and expertise in mental capacity law.  Achieving the ALR status means that Yvonne can be appointed by the court to represent vulnerable individuals who lack capacity without involving a litigation friend.

Yvonne has extensive experience across the broad range of work within the Court of Protection. She is experienced in cases concerning capacity to marry and forced marriage issues. Yvonne also has a particular interest in young people transitioning from children to adult services where they may lack capacity. Yvonne has a wealth of experience with cases where there is a cross over between welfare and financial issues, often with elements of financial abuse, leading to criminal proceedings. She is also regularly instructed in cases brought under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court.

Yvonne is passionate about protecting the rights of the most vulnerable in our society and her expertise in mental capacity law and deprivations of liberty enables her to provide specialist legal advice and representation to ensure their voices are heard.

Court of Protection cases include issues such as where a person should live, their contact with family and friends as well as issues of serious medical treatment. Yvonne is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor as well as advocacy organisations and family members to represent the interests of individuals who may lack mental capacity to make their own decision on a specific issue. 

Having represented many individuals with mental disorders or degenerative conditions such as autism, brain injury, dementia, a stroke, motor neurone disease and learning difficulties, Yvonne understands the challenges many families and individuals face and can provide sensitive, specialist, expert legal advice to ensure individuals are provided with the legal support they need.

Understanding and getting to know her clients well is essential in order to ensure that they are able to participate as much as possible in the proceedings and this is at the core of providing tailored legal advice and representation.

Member of COPPA committee West Midlands

Notable cases

Re ND (Court of Protection: Costs and Declarations) [2020] EWCOP 42, Keehan J
Instructed by the Official Solicitor

WCC v AB and SB [2013] COPLR 157

DA v EP & Ors (COP- Deprivation of Liberty/Welfare) [2020] EWCOP 74 (28 February 2020)

Yvonne is the regional representative for the SBA – The Solicitors’ Charity and also a member of Solicitors for the Elderly.

Prior to specialising in Court of Protection matters, Yvonne advised clients in relation to Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Deputyships, Trusts, care home funding matters as well as probate.  This extensive experience provides Yvonne with an all-encompassing understanding of issues facing the elderly and often most vulnerable in our society.

If you would like further information or to discuss your case, please call Yvonne for a free initial telephone consultation on 01926 354704.