Disability rights and mental health advocate Oliver Lewis returns to practice at Doughty Street

We are delighted to announce that Dr Oliver Lewis has returned to practice as a member of Chambers. Since 2017 he has been instructed in cases as an associate tenant as part of our Mental Health and Court of Protection team, and Inquests and Inquiries team, but as a member of Chambers he will be pleased to assist an increasing client base in these areas. 

After his call in 2000 Oliver led the Mental Disability Advocacy Centre based in Budapest, from where he worked to protect the rights of people with disabilities and mental health issues across Europe and Africa.  He brought a series of important test cases at the European Court of Human Rights, notably against Russia and Bulgaria; those Strasbourg decisions have frequently been cited with approval by the UK’s Supreme Court. 

He also has academic interests, with a doctorate in international human rights law, and a part-time position at the University of Leeds as Professor of Law and Social Justice.

Oliver will continue to pursue academic work, whilst continuing to develop his practice across a range of our core specialisms including:

• Mental Health and Court of Protection work, where he is instructed in cases across the spectrum of mental health and disability litigation, acting on behalf of the Official Solicitor, local authorities, and other parties. He has a particular interest in cases where there have been alleged failings by health or social services, and he accepts instructions in related public law matters and civil claims.

• Inquests, where he regularly appears on behalf of bereaved families, often in cases where there is a mental health element.

• Advocacy work before inter-governmental organisations, with oral and written submissions being provided to a wide range of UN committees, UN Special Rapporteurs, and Council of Europe bodies.

• International human rights training and other projects ranging across children’s rights, mental health law, equality and non-discrimination, access to justice, legal capacity and guardianship and more.

For more information on Oliver’s work, or if you would like to make contact with him or instruct him in a case, please speak to Sian Wilkins or Rachel Finch from our practice management team on 020 7400 9035.