Joe Burgess is a solicitor specialising in mental health law at our Cardiff office. With Law Society Mental Health Accreditation, a First Class LLB Legal Practice Degree, and a Masters of Business Administration, Joe brings exceptional academic credentials and specialist expertise to his practice.
Joe represents clients detained under the Mental Health Act before the Mental Health Tribunal, Hospital Managers’ Hearings, and Care and Treatment Reviews. His work focuses on securing the discharge of clients from detention and ensuring their rights are protected throughout their care and treatment.
He acts for clients from all backgrounds, including those detained in hospitals, community treatment orders, and forensic settings. Joe has particular experience supporting vulnerable individuals who may face complex issues such as capacity, forensic risk, and co-existing substance misuse.
Joe is especially passionate about advocating for clients who find it difficult to have their voices heard within the mental health system. He is committed to ensuring that every client is treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
Joe’s clients often instruct him because of his ability to provide clear, compassionate, and effective legal representation. His strength lies in his ability to truly understand the unique circumstances of each client, ensuring their voices are heard in a system that can often feel overwhelming and complex.
He is highly organised and ensures that every case is meticulously prepared, with all relevant medical and legal information carefully considered. This thorough preparation enables Joe to present robust, well-reasoned arguments at hearings, giving his clients the best possible chance of achieving a successful outcome.
As a solicitor, Joe’s communication skills are central to his practice. He takes pride in explaining complex legal processes and mental health legislation in a clear and accessible way, empowering clients and their families to make informed decisions. His ability to build trust and maintain empathetic communication with clients, healthcare professionals, and tribunals allows him to advocate effectively on behalf of those in vulnerable and challenging circumstances.
Before joining Reeds Solicitors, Joe gained extensive experience at specialist mental health law practices, including CJCH Solicitors, where he represented clients in both civil and forensic settings. He regularly appeared before the Mental Health Tribunal and Hospital Managers’ Hearings, advising on their rights, discharge applications, aftercare, and issues relating to aftercare and community treatment.
Through these roles, Joe developed the advocacy, case preparation, and client care skills that now underpin his practice as a solicitor. His experience across a range of hospital and community settings has given him a deep understanding of the practical and legal challenges faced by individuals detained under the Mental Health Act.