Rachel Baker to speak on Contentious Applications in the Court of Protection - Jun 2023
Rachel accepts instructions across a range of civil, Court of Protection and Public Law matters.
Rachel has a deserved reputation for her friendly but professional and thorough approach as well as her excellent client care and the ability to put even the most nervous and vulnerable of litigants and witnesses at ease.
With her extensive experience in a range of courts and tribunals and having previously practised at the criminal bar, Rachel has strong advocacy skills as well as the attention to detail and analytical skills required in her paperwork practice.
Rachel returned to the Bar in 2016 after a long absence, during which time she worked in-house, ran a business and also had a career break with her family.
Rachel spent some years as a Trustee of a local educational charity as well as Governor of a local primary school with a large number of children on the SEN register.
Her wide range of life experience away from the Bar informs and complements Rachel’s legal practice and approach and is highly valued by solicitors and clients alike.
Rachel is also an Associate Lecturer of Law, a pupil supervisor and provides training and seminars to solicitors and professional clients. In her spare time she enjoys open water swimming, skiing and live music and theatre.
Court of ProtectionRachel has built up a busy Court of Protection practice and appears regularly before the Court in a range of proceedings within its jurisdiction. Rachel can also assist with both pre-and post-hearing conferences, Round Table Meetings and the drafting of documents.
Her knowledge of property and personal injury law complements Rachel’s Court of Protection work, as does her sensitivity and experience of dealing with vulnerable individuals. Rachel has also been commended by clients for taking a robust yet collaborative approach in hearings and RTMs.
Rachel accepts instructions to represent local authorities, litigation friends (including ALRs and the Official Solicitor) and family members.
Rachel’s practice includes education, local government, mental health law and community care.
Rachel acts both for and against local authorities and the state (including the Police) which gives her practical, and valuable, insight into the likely approach and priorities of both sides in a dispute.
Rachel accepts instructions to represent all interested persons at inquests and her experience and compassionate approach with vulnerable individuals is appreciated by both solicitors and lay clients.
Rachel is instructed in a wide range of property law disputes and her robust yet sensitive approach is of particular value in such cases, where the individuals involved are often under an immense amount of stress.
She acts for both landlords and tenants in possession proceedings and housing related anti-social behaviour injunction applications.
Rachel also has extensive experience in matters concerning leasehold properties and service charges as well as cases involving Orders for Sale, boundary and right of way disputes.
Rachel’s experience in the Court of Protection is highly valued by solicitors dealing with cases involving incapacitous individuals.
Rachel’s practice includes fast- and multi-track commercial and contractual matters. She is able to advise at the pre-issue stage; to draft pleadings and to then assist the client through to trial.
At all stages her pragmatic approach aims to encourage clients to take a commercial approach to proceedings and to avoid, if possible, the costs and stress involved in litigation. She is able to act for clients both in formal mediation as well as in “door of the court” negotiations aimed at securing a favourable outcome for her clients.
Rachel accepts instructions on behalf of insurance companies and local authorities as well as individuals.
Her experience in the criminal courts means not only that she is particularly adept at cross-examining those suspected of fabricating claims but also that she has ample experience of dealing with vulnerable and sometimes traumatised clients and witnesses who often need a particularly sensitive approach during the litigation process.
Rachel is willing to consider accepting instructions on a Conditional Fee basis.
Rachel accepts work from lay clients via Direct Access. You can view her profile here.
Rachel Baker, Anogika Souresh and Sam Freeman deliver talk on Capacity, Decision Making and The Interplay With Alcohol & Substance Misuse - Mar 2023
Rachel Baker and Anogika Souresh, assisted by Sam Freeman of the Sussex NHS Trust, delivered a talk to solicitors at Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council, and West Sussex County...
Rachel Baker appears in the High Court before the Vice President of the Court of Protection in case concerning the mental capacity of a young adult - Feb 2023
Rachel Baker has recently appeared in the High Court before the Vice President of the Court of Protection the Honourable Mr Justice Hayden, in a case concerning the capacity of a young adult, “H”,...
1 week to go for Brighton Legal Walkers! - Jun 2021
We’re getting ourselves ready for the London Legal Support Trust (LLST)’s Brighton Legal Walk 2021 on 21st June 2021. Show your support for this excellent charity providing access to justice...
Gestmin v Credit Suisse: Restating and Re-evaluating the Court’s Approach to Witness Evidence - Jun 2021
Rachel Baker considers the case of Gestmin SGPS S.A. v Credit Suisse [2013] EWCA 3560 (Comm) and its relevance to the preparation of witness evidence. In 2013 the High Court commercial case of...
PART 36: A Round Up of Recent Developments by Rachel Baker - Mar 2021
I often explain to clients that, contrary to popular opinion, much of a lawyer’s time is spent advising people on how to keep out of court rather than encouraging them into it. If nothing else,...
Reflections on Reflective Loss: Sevilleja v Marex Financial Limited [2020] UKSC 31 - Oct 2020
A recent Supreme Court decision in Sevilleja v Marex Financial Limited [2020] UKSC 31 has restated the longstanding principle of “reflective loss” in a way that will be of interest even to...
Catch up on our latest Civil Law Seminar on housing possession claims and civil procedure amendments - Aug 2020
Catch up on our recent civil law seminar with experts Rachel Baker and Matthew Withers. The recording of the event and speaker's slides are linked below for you to listen at your convenience. ...
Remote Court Hearings and How to Manage Them - May 2020
Rachel Baker offers tips and guidance for litigants in person facing remote civil court hearings during the Covid-19 pandemic Since March 2020 lawyers have been working in unprecedented...
Possession Proceedings under Covid-19: the Latest From the Court of Appeal - May 2020