Chris Stark
Partner
Nottingham
chris.stark@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)115 934 2059
Chris is a highly regarded and experienced partner and solicitor advocate within our leading health and social care inquest and advisory team. He has worked inhouse and with organisations nationally to consistently deliver on their priorities.
Chris is a solicitor advocate and regularly appears for health and social care client in Coroners’ courts across the country. He has extensive experience of working for many years in acute NHS, mental health and independent sector in-house legal teams. He conducts his own advocacy, trusted to support staff through the inquest process with straight forward and accessible advice. He also has an excellent track record of advising on strategy, reputational risks and delivering effective learning.
Chris also has a diverse advisory practice, specialising in mental capacity, mental health, risk management and safeguarding advice. He regularly appears in the Court of Protection specialising in complex serious medical treatment cases often requiring urgent applications to court. He has delivered training nationally on the implementation of Liberty Protection Safeguards.
Chris has worked extensively inhouse at large acute, mental health and independent sector organisations and therefore has a detailed insight into what clients need and want from their legal support. He sits on a large NHS Trust ethics committee and during Covid-19 helped deliver early advice on the country’s response to the pandemic.
Expertise
Featured experience
Serious Medical Treatment
Representing acute and mental health Trusts in an urgent application to the Court of Protection concerning safe delivery of maternity care
High profile inquest
Representing a large NHS Trust in relation to a highly complex inquest into the death of a newborn.
Jury Inquest
Representing an independent sector client at 2 week jury inquest concerning prison healthcare.
Jury Inquest
Representing a large commissioning organisation during a jury inquest into the death of a detained patient.
Testimonials
“On the day he was very professional, easy to work with and ensured we communicated risks as they occurred... In the adjournment prior to the outcome being delivered he again adapted his level of communication… this was a difficult situation with clashes between the family, grieving mother, staff member, two managers, other witnesses etc... I appreciate working with such great people and have high standards”
"You have made me feel calm and you gave me the confidence to realise that I had the ability to carry out what was required. You have worked so hard too, I am in awe of your expertise and knowledge and although the High Court was a daunting prospect, I am pleased to have experienced it."
“The support we received was first class at every stage and helped us deal with the complexities arising from a very tragic case.”
“Having you on board makes life a lot better."
You may be interested in...
Legal Update
Navigating the complexities of detention: insights from a recent Mental Health Act / Mental Capacity Act interface case
Legal Update
Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) update – June 2023
Legal Update
The Liberty Protection Safeguards – how can we help?
The Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) were introduced in the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 and will replace the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) system. The LPS framework aims to deliver improved outcomes for people who are or who need to be deprived of their liberty.
Legal Update
Liberty Protection Safeguards – It’s out: MCA LPS Consultation
Following on from the first webinar in the Liberty Protection Safeguards (“LPS”) series delivered by Mark Barnett and Chris Stark, the key points below from the webinar are summarised below.
On-Demand
LPS - it's out - what do you need to know?' Part 1: Regulations and Code of Practice
This on-demand session deals with what we now know so far about the finer detail of the LPS proposals, particularly focussing on the practicalities of implementing the LPS system.Legal Update
The Liberty Protection Safeguards: brief update
The Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) will be used to authorise the proportionate and necessary deprivation of liberty for people aged 16 and above who lack the mental capacity to consent to their care arrangements.
On-Demand
Mental Health and Court of Protection Legal Update webinar
Watch now on-demand our Mental Health and Court of Protection Legal Update webinar, there have been some interesting recent legal developments in this area and topics that were covered during the session.
Legal Update
What to expect at Court: Family Court and Care Proceedings
What to expect at Court: Family Court and Care Proceedings. Care Proceedings concern the welfare of a child. If a Local Authority believes that a child is at risk of significant harm, they can seek permission from the Court to take appropriate action to protect the child.
On-Demand
Liberty Protection Safeguards
The Liberty Protection Safeguards are due to be implemented in April 2022. Before this time there will need to be whole system change, training and implementation.
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: The Mental Capacity Act - when to go to the Court of Protection - practical guidance for NHS Trusts
When NHS Trusts should consider going to the Court of Protection.
Training
Mental Capacity Act – anticipating loss of capacity
Health lawyer, Chris Stark, provides you with an update on the recent case of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust v CD [2019] EWCOP 24.