2 October 2025 | Registration: 9.00am | Conference 9:30am- 3:00pm | One Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AA
We are now at full capacity for the event. No further registrations will be accepted at this time.
We have brought together a panel of expert speakers to discuss the latest issues of concern and key legal developments in the field of mental health care. This is a fantastic opportunity to network with colleagues who share your interests.
In recognition of the challenges which the health and social care sector currently faces, we have taken the decision not to charge for the conference as our small gesture of support for our clients and the sector.
We will be discussing the following:
- Right care, right person - John Thirkettle, Mental Health Operations Manager,
Humberside Police - Mental health law case update - Jill Weston, Partner, Weightmans.
- Mental health and human rights - Professor Piyal Sen, Consultant Psychiatrist,
Chair of Special Committee on Human Rights, The Royal College of Psychiatrists. - Deprivation of liberty; where are we now? - Ben Troke, Partner, Weightmans.
- Digital risks in mental healthcare - from AI to cyber attacks: the key takeaways
for providers - Stewart Duffy, Legal Director, Weightmans.
Speakers
John Thirkettle, Mental Health Operations Manager, Humberside Police
John has been the mental health lead for the force for a many years, and is working hard to improve the approach to mental health.
Julia Appleton, Partner, Weightmans
Julia is a Partner in the Healthcare team specialising in health and social care. She has acted for the majority of the teaching hospitals in London and many large state and private sector providers around the country.
Jill Weston, Partner, Weightmans
Jill is a Partner in our Health and care team based in our Birmingham office. Jill has over 20 years' experience in the health and care sector, having started her career defending claims for the NHSLA (as it was then) before transferring to the advisory side of the law.
Professor Piyal Sen, Consultant Psychiatrist, Chair of Special Committee on Human Rights, The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Professor Piyal Sen is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience, predominantly in the independent sector. He is also currently serving as Medical Director at Chadwick Lodge and Chair of Special Committee on Human Rights at The Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Stewart Duffy, Legal Director, Weightmans
Stewart is a Legal Director in our healthcare team. Dual-qualified in medicine and law, Stewart’s specialist work involves professional and systems regulation including data protection and judicial review.
Ben Troke, Partner, Weightmans
Ben's expertise covers issues of consent and mental health and mental capacity/best interests decision making, both for adults and children, as well as wider issues around delayed or disputed discharges, deprivation of liberty, safeguarding, confidentiality and duty of candour.
