Sarah Westoby

Sarah is a solicitor specialising in human rights and best interests work, working with Frances Swaine in the human rights department.

Sarah works on a range of areas within the human rights department focusing in particular on best interests work.  With Frances, she has represented clients in proceedings in the Court of Protection on issues including withdrawal of treatment, choice of treatment, residence, contact and care for people who don't have capacity to decide on these issues for themselves.  Clients include children, parents, relatives and the Official Solicitor.  This sort of work involves careful and sensitive negotiation between relatives, healthcare providers and local authorities.
 
Sarah also specialises in access to healthcare, social services and community care, abuse claims and discrimination.
 
After studying law and French at Leeds University, Sarah worked as a volunteer at both the AIRE Centre (Advice on Individual Rights in Europe) and the Refugee Council before becoming a solicitor.  Sarah joined Leigh Day as a trainee solicitor in 2007, qualifying in October 2009.