Biography
I am a senior associate in the Public Law & Human Rights department in Sheffield and joined Irwin Mitchell in 2012 from a leading family law firm in Birmingham.
I specialise in health and welfare cases in the Court of Protection and a broad range of judicial review cases, including challenges to the provision of community care and healthcare. I am instructed by individuals and charities challenging cuts to public services.
I acted for the claimant in the case of R (ZYN) v Walsall MBC [2014] EWHC 1918 (Admin), successfully challenging a local authority’s policy on social care charging.
I regularly act for vulnerable adults who lack mental capacity in the Court of Protection, instructed by the Official Solicitor in relation to disputes regarding their residence and care arrangements.
I also act for families in complex medical treatment cases. I represented the families in the cases of NHS Trust and Baby X and others [2012] EWHC 2188 and Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust v CD [2014] EWCOP 23, (2014).
At my previous firm I acted for local authorities, family members and guardians in public law children proceedings. I am an experienced advocate and undertake my own advocacy frequently.
Testimonials
“Stephen Cardinal is approachable, very good at getting to the issues and a pleasure to work with." - Chambers & Partners 2022 (Associate To Watch)
"He is excellent and proactive." – Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Associate to Watch)
"He is very experienced and is very sensible and easy to work with." – Chambers & Partners, 2020
"He's extremely knowledgeable - a very sensible and steady Court of Protection practitioner." – Chambers & Partners, 2019
"He has notable experience in disputes concerning capacity, treatment and residence." – Chambers & Partners, 2018
