Neil Allen

Neil Allen

Mr

  • Senior Lecturer in Law, Law

Personal profile

Biography

Barrister (Middle Temple) and Senior Lecturer 

Having read Law at Manchester University and the Inns of Court School of Law, Neil joined the University in 2003 and is a Senior Lecturer and Clinical Lead of its Legal Advice Centre. With particular research interests in mental health and incapacity law, he has published in books and legal journals, teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and lectures psychiatric, social welfare, and legal professionals in mental capacity and mental health matters.

Neil was called to the Bar in 1999 and practises from 39 Essex Chambers, predominantly in the Court of Protection where he is ranked in both the Legal500 and Chambers and Partners Guide to the World's Best Lawyers. He has appeared in cases in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, the most recent of which is N v ACCG [2017] UKSC 22 (Supreme Court, best interests). He is an advisor to various research panels and organisations.

Additional Information

Teaching:

Neil lectures in the Mental Health law courses and the Advocacy and the Law course.

Media Availability:

Available for media interviews in relation to mental capacity law matters.

Impact

Ranked as a leading Barrister in both Legal500 and Chambers & Partners Guide to the World’s Best Lawyers:

"He's very academically on the ball, knows the law very well  and is a very good advocate." "He is incredibly helpful, very responsive, fantastically knowledgeable and hugely respected in the Court of Protection world." Chambers & Partners 2019

“Has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things CoP, but also very likeable and pragmatic." Legal500 2019

"He brings a really great and broad perspective to cases thanks to his academic background. He has an excellent technical understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and community care law, and he is very good at dealing with both lay and professional clients.” Chambers & Partners 2018

“Excels at Court of Protection work that involves deprivation of liberty and other human rights issues. Peers point out his academic excellence as a distinguishing characteristic, citing his role as lecturer in Clinical Legal Education at the University of Manchester.  “His academic excellence in this field is a real strength, and he's brilliant." His ability to quickly identify those issues which may cause difficulties makes him a very helpful advocate.” “The level of his ability is beyond his years of call.” Chambers & Partners 2017

"Intelligent and thorough, he offers an academic but accessible and rights-based approach to complex welfare cases. An excellent communicator and reliable source of support and expertise for the firm and clients alike. He's always willing to delve deeper into broader issues and readily offers insight into exceptionally complex issues." Chambers & Partners 2016

“Intelligent and thorough, he offers an academic but accessible rights-based approach to complex welfare cases. He's an excellent communicator.” Chambers & Partners 2015

“Very academic and extremely learned on the history of the law and its development. He is also fantastically approachable.” Chambers & Partners 2015

“He is highly respected by the Official Solicitor. He has a thoughtful, analytical approach to cases and an amazing eye for detail. What he doesn’t know about deprivation of liberty isn’t worth knowing.” Chambers & Partners 2014

Social responsibility

Neil's reported cases include:

Prizes and awards

Law Teacher of the Year finalist 2019.

Thanks to our fabulous LAC team, students, volunteer lawyers, and Making Space, our dementia law centre has won the following:

Research interests

  • Mental health and incapacity law
  • Court of Protection
  • Advocacy

Current Research Projects:

Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the liberty protection safeguards (LPS).

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

External positions

Barrister, 39 Essex Chambers

Areas of expertise

  • K Law (General)
  • Mental health
  • Mental capacity
  • Advocacy
  • Liberty
  • Detention
  • Human Rights
  • Safeguards

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing

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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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