Andrew Hockton

Call 1984

Andrew Hockton | Call 1984

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Overview

Andrew has specialised for many years in cases involving disputed treatment decisions. He wrote a leading textbook on the subject: The Law of Consent to Medical Treatment and has been instructed in such landmark cases as Re A (conjoined twins) and R v Portsmouth (ex p Glass withdrawal of treatment)

Court of Protection

“He is an experienced advocate who brings a reassuring gravitas.”
Chambers & Partners

“Informed Consent following the Montgomery decision” – click here to see Andrew’s article in the Times

Experience and expertise

Andrew has been one of the leading practitioners in the field of medical treatment for many years and has been instructed in a number of the leading cases. His Court of Protection practice is a key aspect of his work in the field of medical law. Andrew is frequently instructed by the O/S, individual Trusts and patients. He specialises in cases involving disputed medical decisions, often involving life and death decisions. Some cases involve PVS, withdrawal of feeding and hydration, treating Jehovah’s witnesses, caesarean sections and the performance of life-saving surgery on patients who lack capacity. Andrew is the author of The Law of Consent to Medical Treatment (Sweet & Maxwell) and wrote the chapter on consent in Clinical Negligence 5th ed.2015 Powers & Barton.

Cases and Work of Note

Significant cases in the field of medical treatment include:

  • In Re T (a minor;liver transplant; consent) CA 1997 1 WLR 242
  • R v Portsmouth NHS Trust ex p Glass [1999] CA 2 FLR 905
  • NHS v D (withdrawal of treatment [2000] 2 FLR 677
  • Re A (Conjoined twins) CA [2001] Fam 147 separation of conjoined twins
  • An NHS Trust v AB 2014 Fam Law 969 withdrawal of treatment from baby
  • NHS Trust v VT (2014) C.O.P.L.R. withdrawal of treatment; minimally conscious state,DNR
  • Re O [2016] 150 B.M.L.R. 233 withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment

Examples of COP cases include:

  • King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust  v OO – April 2016
    Instructed on behalf of the Trust in the case involving withdrawal of mechanical ventilation and CPR. Acted for the Trust in the Court of Protection and Court of Appeal.
  • Sheffield Teaching Hospital v L – August 2015
    Instructed on behalf of the Trust in an application lawfully to withhold dialysis from non-compliant patient.
  • Re HS – Sept  2015
    Instructed to advise on behalf of Trust in relation to disputed surgery for brain damaged child.
  • Re VT
    Instructed on behalf of family in case of withdrawal of treatment. Family raised objections to treatment withdrawal on basis of Islamic beliefs.