Private client solicitor Holly Mieville-Hawkins, who works at regional law firm Withy King’s Bath office, has gained a prestigious award for her expertise and services to older people.
Holly, pictured, achieved the Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) Older Client Care in Practice Award for her specialist work in this area as well as her skills in advising and supporting older and vulnerable clients. 
She represents people who lack mental capacity as well as their families in court proceedings relating to their health and social wellbeing, property and financial affairs.
Holly is a member of the Law Society’s Wills and Equity Committee and a specialist in the field of Court of Protection, including Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) – a legal document that allows an individual to appoint someone to manage their affairs, such as property and finances, health and care, if they become too ill due to an accident or illness like dementia.
She said: “I am very pleased to have received this award and to have the opportunity to highlight some of the issues, including raising awareness of how to help protect the interests of older and vulnerable people who have lost the ability to make their own decisions.
“SFE recently published a report which reveals that 86% of people in the South West do not have an LPA and are leaving major decisions about housing, assets and care to chance.
“The report also reveals that while 49%of people in the South West have a Will in place to direct their affairs after death, only 8% have an LPA in place to safeguard their wishes in the event they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves, due to an accident or illness.”
She said most of those surveyed wanted a family member or friend to make important decisions on their behalf, if they were no longer able. However, few were aware that without an LPA in place, this wouldn’t be possible and crucial issues, such as their end-of-life wishes and health treatments, may be left in the hands of third party solicitors, social workers, medical doctors or the British courts.
“The needs of older and vulnerable people in our society are often overlooked and I feel passionately about helping them to protect themselves and their interests, for their own sakes as well as their families,” said Holly.
“But LPAs are not just for older people. Anyone who owns their own home, has children or loved ones or just a view on how they would like their affairs to be handled if they can no longer make decisions, should consider having one.”
Holly’s expertise was last year recognised by Chambers & Partners UK, the independent guide to the legal profession, where she was named as a ‘leader in their field’. She has also had articles published on the issues and is a regular speaker at public events.
SFE is an independent, national organisation of professionals, such as solicitors, barristers and chartered legal executives, committed to providing the highest quality of legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their families and carers.
