Michael Kennedy

Information about the specialist

michael.kennedy@switalskis.com

Practice Areas

Michael is a barrister and a director at Switalskis Solicitors. His area of expertise is in mental health law and mental capacity law.

Michael has specialised in mental health and mental capacity law for 25 years. He has experience representing mentally disordered clients before: the First tier Tribunal – Mental Health; the County Court (s.29 'displacement' proceedings); the Crown Court; the parole board; the high court (inherent jurisdiction) as well as the Court of Protection. He has also appeared in the Coroner’s Court concerning the death of a young woman who was subject to the Mental Health Act.

Currently, his main area of work involves proceedings before the First Tier Tribunal - Mental Health concerning the detention of his clients under the Mental Health Act 1983 and proceedings before the Court of Protection in relation to clients' deprivation of liberty under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and with regard to related health and welfare matters.

In addition to his casework, Michael has also regularly provided training to; Approved Mental Health Professionals; Best Interests Assessors; Psychiatrists and Advocates. Some of that training has been with Leeds Metropolitan University.

Michael has served on a number of industry panels and committees. He is an assessor for the Law Society in relation to its Accredited Legal Representation scheme.