Reeds Solicitors has an ‘array of talent‘ at its disposal. It has an excellent team ethos and [the Court of Protection Team] is led by Sarah Griffiths-Jones.
Legal 500, 2023
Sarah is one of just 30 accredited mental health solicitors in Wales, approved by the Law Society to represent patients detained under the Mental Health Act. Sarah has experience in representing clients who face some of the most serious criminal offences in society, where case disposal under the Mental Health Act is appropriate.
WalesOnline, "30 young lawyers to watch", 2018
Sarah is everything you could want in a mental health solicitor. She is highly experienced, self-assured and advocates for her clients in the strongest and most effective terms. Her warm, easy and sensitive manner allows her to build a quick rapport with clients, including those in crisis. In a recent murder case we worked on together, I was so impressed with her ability to instil calm in our client, a young man who was very unwell and suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. Sarah’s ability to command trust and respect means she is well placed to take detailed instructions and develop a clear insight into what her clients what – as well as being able to deliver realistic and pragmatic advice which may not always be easy to receive. Sarah also has considerable poise and authority with professionals, both inside and outside of the tribunal context. She is always up to speed on the most recent developments in mental health law, and it’s clear she has considerable passion for and interest in the field. Although she has a busy and varied case load, Sarah knows her cases inside out and is meticulous in her approach to organisation and preparation. In short, she has it all!
Daniella Waddoup, Barrister
Sarah Griffiths-Jones is an outstanding legal aid lawyer. Her practice focuses on mental health and mental capacity law before the Mental Health Tribunal and the Court of Protection. As such, she must deal with some of the most vulnerable members of society on a daily basis. I have witnessed first-hand her incredible ability to connect with and form a relationship of trust and understanding with her clients, which is only matched by her tireless and robust defence of their rights and wishes. In a very short time, she has built a Court of Protection department at Reeds from scratch which rivals firms which have been established for years. She has an eye for talent and enjoys the trust and confidence of all of her team. I consider myself fortunate, as counsel instructed by Sarah in one of her very first Court of Protection cases, to have been able to work with Sarah for so long and see the team at Reeds blossom into the incredible team they are today.
David Gardner, Barrister at No 5 Chambers
Sarah is always client focused and fights hard for them to be heard and to be empowered. She is reliable and it is a pleasure to work with her collaboratively aa she gets things done. The clients feel that they are well supported, as well.
I would like to begin by formally thanking Sarah Griffiths Jones for all the hard work and dedication she has shown my clients over the past couple of years. She works tirelessly to ensure the best outcomes for my clients and is the most compassionate solicitor I have ever had the pleasure of working with.
I would recommend Sarah Griffiths-Jones and Rhian Bumford in a heartbeat. They are approachable, understanding, non-judgmental, personable, honest, kind, they take their time to explain the confusion legal jargon. They are quick to respond whether that is on the phone or in person. I have never felt intimidated by Sarah or Rhian they have made the whole process comfortable and easy to understand. Sarah and Rhian have put me to ease throughout the entire process as I have suffered with anxiety And there is no such thing as a stupid question with them. I have been treated like a human being and not a patient. They are just fantastic.
Maxine Williams
Sarah Griffiths-Jones is a Partner at Reeds Solicitors and Head of the Court of Protection and Mental Health Team. She manages a complex caseload spanning mental health, mental capacity, Court of Protection and inquest proceedings.
She represents clients detained under the Mental Health Act at all levels of security, before the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales. She carefully and thoroughly analyses psychiatric evidence to identify areas of strength and weakness, and commissions evidence from her own network of experts, in order to challenge detention under the Act. Sarah also advises clients in relation to aftercare matters on leaving hospital, attends Care & Treatment Planning meetings and represents both patients and nearest relatives at Hospital Managers Hearings.
Sarah has an exemplary understanding of the Mental Health Act, its Code of Practice and Tribunal Rules, together with a wealth of experience in representing clients successfully before the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales.
Sarah has rights of audience before the Magistrates’ Courts and the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales. She also represents defendants charged with serious offences, including murder, sexual assault and arson, where mental disorder and disposal under the Mental Health Act are central issues.
Sarah also currently manages a complex Court of Protection caseload, specialising in bringing applications under Section 21A Mental Capacity Act 2005, in connection with the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) framework.
She is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor, Relevant Person’s Representatives and family members in respect of complex and high-profile proceedings. She frequently secures the freedom or lesser restrictions of people who have been deprived of their liberty for several years.
Sarah also represents bereaved families at Coroner’s inquests, particularly where a death raises questions about mental health treatment, capacity, deprivation of liberty or the involvement of public bodies. Her experience across mental health law and the Court of Protection enables her to examine the evidence in cases where these legal and care frameworks overlap.
Sarah adopts a clear and focused approach to each of her cases, whilst working with sensitivity and understanding, truly putting her client’s rights and best interests at the heart of every case. Sarah is able to engage empathetically with clients, in order to obtain their instructions and ensure that their voice is heard.
Leadership and Training
Sarah provides external training to advocacy organisations and members of the judiciary across the UK, helping them develop their understanding of Court of Protection law and procedure.
She founded Reeds’ Court of Protection team in 2019 and has developed it into a team of over 25 lawyers and support staff. Sarah also plays an active role in training and mentoring junior lawyers, several of whom have progressed to senior roles and gained specialist professional accreditations.
Alongside her leadership responsibilities, Sarah continues to represent clients directly and manage her own complex Court of Protection, mental health and inquest caseload.
Accreditations and Awards
Sarah’s exceptional ability has been professionally recognised by the Law Society, with her currently holding panel accreditations in both Mental Health Law and Criminal Litigation giving her a unique edge in representing complex Court of Protection clients who may be under dual frameworks or engaged in multiple proceedings.
Sarah was also shortlisted at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards in July 2022 in the Disability Rights category, for her commitment to human rights and access to justice. Notably, she was the only finalist at the entire awards ceremony from Wales.
Sarah’s Court of Protection Team have also been finalists at the 2023 & 2024 Wales Legal Awards.
Her ability was noticed from a young age, with her recognition in the Wales Online 30 young lawyers to watch in 2018.
Professional Memberships
- Law Society Mental Health Panel
- Mental Health Lawyers Association
- Court of Protection Practitioners Association
Recent and notable cases
Sarah Griffiths-Jones currently manages a complex Court of Protection caseload, specialising in bringing applications under Section 21A Mental Capacity Act 2005, in connection with the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) framework. Here’s a selection of cases as an example of her work in this field:
AP: Successful appeal to detention under MHA & MCA
P had previously been detained under S37 of the MHA and made her way through that discharge pathway under Sarah’s successful representation before the Tribunal. At the point of returning to community living, P was placed under a DoLS & Guardianship Order, which she sought to challenge. Sarah was instructed by the Official Solicitor and following assessments of her capacity to make decisions in respect of residence, care, contact with others and to engage in sexual relations, P was eventually discharged from both legal frameworks.
SO: S21 Mental Capacity Act Challenge
Sarah was instructed by the Litigation Friend to challenge P’s deprivation of liberty. P was a young lady with a learning disability and PTSD, who had been subject to historic sexual abuse. P’s capacity in respect of residence, care, contact with others and to engage in sexual relations was assessed and she subsequently discharged from the Mental Capacity Act.
KP: S16 Mental Capacity Act Challenge
Sarah was instructed by the Official Solicitor to represent a lady with a diagnosis of a learning disability. P had previously resided at the family home where she was subject to controlling and abusive behaviour from her family. During proceedings, concerns were again raised in respect of her partner’s coercive and controlling behaviour towards her. P’s capacity was assessed in respect of making decisions as to her residence and care, conducting these proceedings, contact with others and engaging in sexual relations and marriage.
ND: S21a Mental Capacity Act Challenge
Sarah was instructed by the Official Solicitor to represent a lady who suffered from a learning disability and who was detained under the MHA, with plans to discharge her to a residential placement. Capacity assessments were scrutinised and discharge planning given effect.
PGT: S21a Mental Capacity Act Challenge
Sarah was instructed by the Litigation Friend in a S21a challenge. P’s capacity in respect of residence and care was assessed and following lengthy proceedings, he returned to live independently in the family home.
Sarah represents clients detained under the Mental Health Act at all levels of security, before the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales. Sarah has an exemplary understanding of the Mental Health Act, its Code of Practice and Tribunal Rules, together with a wealth of experience in representing clients successfully before the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales.
Sarah also advises clients in relation to aftercare matters on leaving hospital, attends Care & Treatment Planning meetings and represents both patients and nearest relatives at Hospital Managers Hearings.
WA: Appeal against detention under the Mental Health Act
Successful appeal before the Tribunal for a client who had been detained under S37/41 of the Mental Health Act for 11 years following an index offence of Murder.
UK: Appeal against detention under the Mental Health Act
Successful appeal before the Tribunal in respect of a client who had been detained under s47/49 of the Mental Health Act for 18 years, following an index offence of Arson with intent to endanger life. Recommendation for discharge secured by the MHRT.
SD: Appeal against detention under the Mental Health Act
Successful appeal before the Tribunal in respect of a client who had been detained under S47/40 of the Mental Health Act for 19 years following conviction of an index offence of Murder. Recommendation for discharge secured by the MHRT.
CM: Appeal against detention under the Mental Health Act
Successful appeal before the Tribunal where Sarah was appointed by the Tribunal Service to act in accordance with R13 (5)(b) where client lacked the capacity to appoint a representative. Client had been subject to S37/41 MHA following an index offence of Arson in 2008. A conditional discharge was granted against the recommendation of the treating team.
CS: Appeal against detention under the Mental Health Act
Successful representation of a client subject to S37/41 MHA following an index offence of Arson in 2008. Conditional discharge granted by the MHRT.
Sarah represents bereaved families at Coroners’ inquests, particularly where a death raises questions about mental health treatment, the actions of public bodies or policies that may have contributed to the death.
Police pursuit: Week-long jury inquest
Represented the family of the deceased during a week-long jury inquest. The jury found that the actions of the police during a pursuit contributed to his death.
Home Office and police policies: Prevention of Future Deaths report
Advised the family of a man whose death raised concerns about policies involving the Home Office and South Wales Police. The Coroner issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report addressing policies found to have contributed to their son’s death.
Mental health and death by overdose
Advised the family of a person who died following an overdose after a longstanding history of mental health difficulties.
JG: Mental Health Client Charged with Murder
Sarah represented a long-standing mental health client who was originally charged with the offence of murder. Following extensive psychiatric evidence, a plea of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service and the Defendant then made the subject of a Hospital Order under the Mental Health Act 1983. Sarah continues to represent them under the MHA to date.
CH: Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
Defendant found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity and made the subject of a Hospital Order under the Mental Health Act 1983. Continued representation to date, including before the Mental Health Tribunal following an automatic referral for review.
BD: Mental Health and Arson
Sarah successfully represented a long-standing mental health client charged who was charged with multiple counts of Arson with intent to endanger life. He was found Not Guilty following Jury trial and was acquitted.