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.
Recent and notable cases
Zac was successfully granted permission to appeal to the UKUT concerning complex jurisdiction issues.
Zac achieved a successful appeal, and the case was remitted back to a different constituted panel.
Zac successfully argued that the Tribunal had made conclusions which could not be substantiated on the evidence.
Testimonials
'Zac is a strategist and a quick, lateral thinker. A pragmatist who gets results, he is professional and reliable, especially with timely and effective communication. Zac shows sensitivity in the context of his work which deals with sensitive and complex issues.'
RB
'I can't thank you enough for the help you have provided. You managed to achieve something that many solicitors before you were unable to. I wish her husband was alive to see her home, but for now it's good enough for me that [client’s name] wishes have finally been prioritised. I’m not sure if you hear this often but the work you do is invaluable, you are the voice for the vulnerable and voiceless and I for one am very grateful for your expertise and support.'
ZA
'[His] tenacity and persistent approach to my case has brought me a reward that will give me a much better quality of life to look forward to. [He is] a remarkable solicitor with all the very best attributes.'
AC
'Zac is a strategist and a quick, lateral thinker. A pragmatist who gets results, he is professional and reliable, especially with timely and effective communication. Zac shows sensitivity in the context of his work which deals with sensitive and complex issues.'
RB
'I can't thank you enough for the help you have provided. You managed to achieve something that many solicitors before you were unable to. I wish her husband was alive to see her home, but for now it's good enough for me that [client’s name] wishes have finally been prioritised. I’m not sure if you hear this often but the work you do is invaluable, you are the voice for the vulnerable and voiceless and I for one am very grateful for your expertise and support.'
ZA
'[His] tenacity and persistent approach to my case has brought me a reward that will give me a much better quality of life to look forward to. [He is] a remarkable solicitor with all the very best attributes.'
AC
'Zac is a strategist and a quick, lateral thinker. A pragmatist who gets results, he is professional and reliable, especially with timely and effective communication. Zac shows sensitivity in the context of his work which deals with sensitive and complex issues.'
RB