Andrew Wigmore is the latest Solicitor to join the Court of Protection – Health & Welfare team at BHP Law.

The addition of Andrew’s experience will boost the team’s ability to provide expert help to some of the most vulnerable people requiring this specialist service throughout the North East and beyond.

Over the years, BHP Law has built a strong reputation for Court of Protection work representing the interests of people who do not have the capacity to manage their finances and care.

The Court of Protection department, headed up by Partner, Karen Pratt consists of 19 employees that make up the two specialist teams; Property & Affairs and Health & Welfare.

Andy will concentrate on community care, health and welfare and mental capacity law.

The Health & Welfare department represents anyone who has learning disability, autism, dementia, Korsakoff's syndrome or other brain-related impairments. It protects their best interests over a wide range of issues, including where they should live, their care, with whom they should have contact, sexual relations, marriage and consenting to medical treatment. 

The team has grown significantly over the last few years, with five solicitors, two trainee legal executives, a paralegal and solicitor apprentice now practising in health & welfare work.

Karen Pratt, head of Court of Protection at BHP Law said: “The continuing growth of our team demonstrates our commitment to this specialist service. BHP Law have a considerable reputation for providing a high quality of care to our clients. Andy brings with him a wealth of experience that will further strengthen the team.”

Qualifying as a solicitor in 2004, Andy secured a role in criminal law but also volunteered at Independent Advocacy North East in North Tyneside where he quickly became familiar with the law in relation to safeguarding adults. In 2011, Andy gained a position as an advocate with the charity and started practising in the field of mental capacity and mental health.

He then joined North Tyneside Council in 2018 where he advised the Senior Management team and social workers in relation to legislation, particularly the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, recent case law and the Human Rights Act, as well as representing the Local Authority in the Court of Protection in relation to safeguarding applications and appeals against deprivations of liberty.

He said “I realised early on that I could make a real and vital impact by ensuring that the voices of the vulnerable in society are heard by advocating on their behalf when any major decisions are taken by public bodies regarding their need, I am thrilled to have joined the team at BHP Law.”

Andy is also a Registered England Athletics Visually Impaired Guide Runner, Coach and a Trustee at Wallsend Harriers and Athletics Club.

BHP Law operates offices in Darlington, Durham, Newcastle, Stockton and Tynemouth, specialising in wills, trusts and probate, family law, court of protection, residential conveyancing, dispute resolution, corporate and commercial, personal injury, commercial and agricultural property and employment law.