Recent medical cases
R v. HM Coroner for Manchester City [2026] EWHC 810
In a claim for judicial review, the Coroner ‘…did not err in leaving out of account the neurological evidence…
Townsend v. Epsom NHS Trust [2026] EWCA Civ 195
‘Any decision about the care and treatment of a mentally incapacitated adult, including the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, must…
GMC v. Gilbert & Anor [2026] EWCA Civ 53
Where ‘a judge has identified that there were factors which the MPT wrongly left out of account when they…
Medical law encompasses all aspects of the relationship between Healthcare Trusts and patients.
There are legal implications of all care and treatment decisions, consent to treatment, and breaches of duty or confidentiality, particularly where patients are vulnerable or unable to make, or to communicate, their own decisions.
If you need advice about any aspect of medical law, or representation for your clients in Court or at a Mediation please contact one of the Clerks to Charles Cooper for an initial, informal chat.
Areas of Law
Inquests
The circumstances surrounding the death of a patient may be the subject of an independent inquiry in the Coroners Court, which could precede, and form the basis of, a legal claim.
Malpractice
Where a patient suffers harm in the course of medical or dental treatment there may be a legal claim of negligence or breach of contract, disciplinary proceedings or criminal charges.
Mental Health Tribunals
Detention of patients under the Mental Health Act 1983 for assessment or treatment, or treatment under a Community Treatment Order, is subject to review by an independent Tribunal.
Court of Protection
The Court may be asked to make: declarations as to mental capacity; declarations as to the lawfulness of any act done, or yet to be done, in relation to a patient; treatment or best interests decisions.
Articles

DoLS and the Coroners Court
The reporting of deaths where there was a Deprivation of Liberty. View more
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