Thames Valley law firm Boyes Turner has expanded its Community Care and Special Educational Needs practices.
James Pantling-Skeet joins Boyes Turner as an Associate Legal Executive from Lester Aldridge, where he was an Associate in the Healthcare/Public Law team.
James supports clients with education, health, social care and mental capacity law issues. He was recently ranked as an ‘Associate to Watch’ in Healthcare and Education (Public Law) by the Chambers & Partners guide.
He will work alongside Laxmi Patel, who leads the firm’s Special Educational Needs team and Rosie Banks, who joined the firm in May 2021, to develop the firm’s Community Care and Health and Welfare Court of Protection practice. The law relating to the statutory duties of local authorities and the NHS is complex. James will help clients secure the important services to which they are entitled.
“I’m excited to join the expert teams at Boyes Turner. The firm has an outstanding reputation for its Community Care, Court of Protection and Special Educational Needs work. The pandemic has only further increased the significant challenges for people accessing vital services from the NHS and local authorities,” said James Pantling-Skeet.
He added: “Increasingly, we are seeing service led, rather than needs based approaches. It will be interesting to see the impact of the Adult Social Care Reform White Paper and the Judicial Review Bill, on the ability of individuals to access social care and to challenge decisions. In addition, we also expect to see the long-awaited SEND Review published in the coming weeks, which may signal changes for children and young adults with special educational needs.”
Laxmi Patel, Partner, Special Educational Needs Boyes Turner said: “James is focussed on helping his clients protect their rights and access the services they are entitled to. He takes time to understand his clients’ unique circumstances so that he can offer tailored advice to help them achieve the best outcome and lead as full a life as possible. He will be a great asset to our team.”
“We are delighted that James is joining Boyes Turner. His enthusiasm, ambition and reputation for helping clients throughout the country made him a great fit for this firm. His practice joins together two important specialisms to offer a seamless service to our clients” said Alexander Wright, Partner, Court of Protection, Boyes Turner.
James regularly provides pro bono information seminars to service users, parents, Attorneys, Deputies, Case Managers, Financial Advisors and relevant professionals in relation to a range of subjects, including NHS Continuing Healthcare, social care funding and EHCPs. He is often invited to speak by organisations such as The Brain Injury Group, BABICM and St James’ Place Wealth Management.
James is a Member of the COPPA South Central Committee and a Trustee of the Dorset Children’s Foundation, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of sick and disabled children. James sits on the Board of Trustees, assists with the day-to-day running and governance of the charity and supports projects aimed at empowering parents to navigate the maze of statutory entitlements and access vital provision.
