Tom is passionate about trying to help his mental health law clients make progress through the mental health system. Many of Tom’s clients are longstanding, who he started working with in conditions of high security. It is a real joy for Tom to journey with his clients to hopefully get to the point where discharge back to the community is a safe and realistic proposition.
Read MoreTom qualified as a solicitor in 2011 and received his Law Society Mental Health Panel accreditation in 2012. He joined the team at Southerns in 2023. Tom’s specialism is representing restricted patients (those who find themselves subject to Ministry of Justice restrictions). For many years Tom represented clients before the Parole Board and this focus on risk management is of assistance when it comes to restricted patients coming before the Mental Health Tribunal. For Tom, the key is developing trusting relationships with clients, to treat his clients with kindness and compassion and to delight in seeing his clients’ mental health recovery and progress. At the same time Tom believes it is absolutely crucial to be candid with clients from outset as to what is realistically achievable at any given time to try to avoid any false expectations that can be so discouraging for a client and knock them backwards.
“I think Tom Battarbee is the best solicitor I have ever had, very professional.”
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