Lee Parkhill

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Lee Parkhill
Daryl Hughes, Deputy Senior Clerk
> People > Barristers > Lee Parkhill

Lee Parkhill has a broad public law practice, with particular expertise in local government, social care and healthcare where he has represented clients at the Supreme Court. Lee is also an experienced Court of Protection practitioner. He is ranked ‘Band 1’ in Community Care in Chambers and Partners’ 2025 guide.

In addition to his practice at the Bar, Lee sits part-time as a Deputy District Judge and nominated Judge of the Court of Protection.

Recent cases

  • Simpson, R (On the Application Of) v NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board [2024] EWHC 3063 (Admin), clarifying the  court’s approach to social care assessments also applies to NHS healthcare assessments.
  • R (Worcestershire County Council) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care [2023] UKSC 31, operation of s. 117, Mental Health Act 1983, and responsibility for provision under s. 117.
  • Royal Borough of Greenwich v CDM [2018] EWCOP 15, court’s approach to fluctuating capacity.
  • Re SH [2018] EWCOP 21, court’s power to appoint an office of a corporation as a deputy (rather than the named office holder).
  • Richards v Worcestershire County Council & Anor [2017] EWCA Civ 1998, scope for private law claim arising from non-performance of a public law duty.
  • R (GS) v London Borough of Camden [2016] EWHC 1762 (Admin), duties of local authorities under the Care Act 2014.
  • Watch Tower v The Charity Commission [2016] 1 W.L.R. 2625, junior counsel for Appellants in case considering the adequacy of a statutory tribunal as an alternative to judicial review.
  • R (Hall) v Leicestershire County Council [2015] EWHC 2985 (Admin), junior counsel for Defendant in a challenge to the lawfulness of consultation on proposals to close a museum.
  • R (OH) v London Borough of Bexley [2015] EWHC 1843 (Admin), challenge to decision to reduce levels of funding for community care needs.

Expertise

    "Lee is so experienced that it is always reassuring to know he is available."

    Chambers UK Bar (2025)

    Lee has exceptional insight and commercial knowledge into the workings, procedures and needs of the organisations he represents.

    Chambers UK Bar (2024)

    He is meticulous in preparing cases and has a persuasive advocacy style.

    Legal 500 (2024)

    An excellent barrister. His knowledge of his subject areas is incredible, and he conveys complex information in a clear manner that professional and lay clients understand.

    Legal 500 (2022)

    An impressive advocate who is clear about his client’s position and easy to negotiate with. A clear-thinking and measured problem solver.

    Chambers UK Bar (2022)

    He is extremely knowledgeable, bright and practical. A confident and eloquent advocate.

    Chambers UK Bar (2021)

About Lee

  • Directory Quotes
    • Community Care: “Lee is so experienced that it is always reassuring to know he is available.” “Lee’s advocacy skills are excellent.” Chambers and Partners 2025
    • Court of Protection: Health & Welfare: “Lee is a very good advocate and knows the Court of Protection very well.” Chambers and Partners 2025
    • Community Care: “Lee recognises difficulties of a case and puts forward submissions in a very measured way.” “He is very persuasive.” Chambers and Partners 2024
    • Court of Protection: Health & Welfare: “Lee has exceptional insight and commercial knowledge into the workings, procedures and needs of the organisations he represents.” “Lee is timely, approachable, keen to profess cases and always pragmatic.” Chambers and Partners 2024
    • Court of Protection and Community Care: “Lee has a broad knowledge of the subject, is considered in his viewpoints and has considerable experience in community care, which inspires confidence. He is meticulous in preparing cases and has a persuasive advocacy style. He sees cases through and is always willing to go above and beyond in supporting the development of a case from inception.” Legal 500 2024
    • Community Care – “Lee Parkhill handles community care matters as part of his broad public law practice. He acts for both claimants and defendants in disputes over care provision arrangements and decisions.” Strengths: “He is very user-friendly and knowledgeable.”

    • Court of Protection: Health & Welfare – “Lee Parkhill is a dynamic public law barrister offering considerable expertise in Court of Protection, social care, healthcare and local government matters. He is adept at handling cases concerning deprivation of liberty and forced marriage. Regularly instructed by NHS bodies, local authorities, the Official Solicitor and individuals.” Strengths: “Lee is very helpful and approachable.”

    • Court of Protection: Health & Welfare –“An impressive advocate who is clear about his client’s position and easy to negotiate with.” “A clear-thinking and measured problem solver.”  Chambers and Partners 2022
    • Community Care – “Lee is a very good advocate and does some very interesting public law work.” “He is pragmatic and helpful in dealing with vulnerable clients.”  Chambers and Partners 2022
    • Court of Protection and Community Care – “An excellent barrister. His knowledge of his subject areas is incredible, and he conveys complex information in a clear manner that professional and lay clients understand.” Legal 500 2022
    • Court of Protection: Health & Welfare – “Good on the law, sensible and measured.” “He is extremely knowledgeable, bright and practical. A confident and eloquent advocate.” Chambers and Partners 2021
    • Community Care – “Handles community care matters as part of his broad public law practice. He acts for both claimants and defendants in disputes over care provision arrangements and decisions. Strengths: “Very calm and collected and obviously knows his stuff. He is admirable and confident.” “A thoughtful and considerate barrister.” “He is approachable and a pleasant to work with – he’s cooperative and very solution-oriented.” Chambers and Partners 2021
    • “A persuasive and confident advocate, his knowledge and experience in respect of Court of Protection litigation is outstanding.” Legal 500 2021
    • “Lee is excellent – he brings a public law rigour to Court of Protection cases and is able to distil the peripheral detail and cut to the principal points of the case quickly.” “He is down to earth, personable and very good on the law.” Chambers and Partners 2020
    • “He is very fair, easy to work with and very knowledgeable about this area of law.” “He’s very organised and is on top of all the papers. He’s a pleasure to deal with.” Chambers and Partners 2020
  • Appointments

    Deputy District Judge, County Court

  • Associations
    • Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA)
    • Court of Protection Bar Association
  • Publications
  • Notable Cases
  • Events

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