Zac Sussex is an Associate Solicitor in our Mental Health team and is also the Team Leader for the Manchester Mental Health department. Primarily, Zac assists with clients who have been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. He specialises in Section117 and MHA/DoLS. MHA/DoLS refers to when someone may be discharged from hospital but lack capacity to make decisions about their care and residence. In these situations, a patient will cease to be under the Mental Health Act and will be placed somewhere chosen for them under the Mental Capacity Act. This can be complex, especially concerning forensic patients and bespoke placements. Zac specialises in assisting clients and their families to understand and navigate these frameworks.

In 2020, Zac completed his LLB (Hons) degree.  Prior to joining Reeds, Zac worked as a paralegal before practising as a Solicitor in the South of England. He has extensive experience in representing clients under the Mental Health Act in a wide range of restricted and unrestricted proceedings. This regularly includes cases involving the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

As a specialist in Mental Health, Zac frequently is appointed by the Tribunal to represent clients who lack capacity to instruct a solicitor. He has a proven track-record of identifying and persuading Local Authorities to accept funding responsibility to expedite discharge planning. He also has key experience in identifying complex matters on appeal to the First Tier and Upper Tier Tribunal, as well as wider Public Law issues that are amenable to Judicial Review.

Zac also possesses a Law Society Mental Health Accreditation.

Qualifications and Memberships

  • Mental Health Accreditation Scheme – Panel Member
  • Member of Mental Health Lawyers Associated – Current Committee Member

Authored Articles

Zac authored an article about Mental Health Tribunals refusing access to independent expert evidence. You can read his article here.