Short-listed for the 2018 Human Rights Lawyer of the year by The Law Society
Practice area
Mental health and incapacity law
What Georga can do for you
If you have been admitted to psychiatric hospital on an informal basis, or are being detained under any of the sections of the Mental Health Act listed below then Georga can help:
- Section 2;
- Section 3;
- Notional section 37;
- Section 37;
- Section 37/41;
- Section 47/49;
- Section 48;
- Section 48/49;
- Section 45A.
She can also help if you:
- Have been recalled to hospital from Conditional Discharge;
- Are on a Conditional Discharge but want an Absolute Discharge.
Or if you are in the community but still under the Mental Health Act, either:
- On extended s. 17 leave;
- On a Community Treatment Order;
- On a Guardianship Order.
Georga can help you make an application for a Mental Health Tribunal or a Hospital Managers' hearing. She can liaise with your clinical team regarding leave off the ward; negotiate with the NHS Trust to secure appropriate treatment for you in hospital and in the community; and ensure that your local authority provides social-based care in the community.
About Georga: Mental Health Lawyer Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire
Georga Godwin is a solicitor and qualified barrister who specialises in mental health law, covering mainly the Mental Health Act 1983 as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007. She also has experience in and regularly makes representations based on mental capacity; family; and education law.
Georga has also worked in the fields of debt; housing; and public law. She also has experience in judicial review proceedings arising out of mental health matters. She therefore has a wealth of experience to bring to your case.
Georga is a leading solicitor in her field. An experienced human-rights advocate, she represents clients who are in psychiatric hospital, either informally or detained under the Mental Health Act. Georga deals with issues regarding treatment in hospital; discharge from hospital, especially by a Mental Health Tribunal; and after-care provision. She represents both civil and forensic clients. Georga’s approach is one of balanced and considered legal advice, positive communication with clients, and meticulous case preparation.
Based in Oxford, Georga has clients in Oxfordshire; Buckinghamshire; Berkshire; and Northamptonshire.
Georga went to university at 28, and pregnant, where she gained a First Class degree in ancient history. After completing post-graduate studies at Oxford University, Georga worked in publishing as editor on the Classics and Religious Studies lists at Oxford University Press. She then returned to studying, aged 40, this time the law. Georga was called to the Bar in July 2005 and admitted as a Solicitor in 2008. She has been a member of the Law Society’s Mental Health Accreditation Scheme since 2008. Georga is also a Social Mobility Ambassador for The Law Society.
Georga is also a free-lance trainer. She specialises in training doctors – both junior and consultant psychiatrists – in advocacy skills for Tribunals.
Georga has trained doctors to gain s. 12 MHA authority, and general aspects of the Mental Health Act. She has also trained Best Interests Assessors regarding the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
As an acknowledged leader in this field, in 2014 Georga was invited to speak by the Tribunal Judges at the Mental Health Tribunal Members Association’s Annual Conference and AGM to represent all mental health solicitors.
Accreditations / Qualifications:
- 1995 1st Class BA Honours Degree Ancient History – University of Cardiff
- 1996 Diploma (now M. St.) Jewish Studies– University of Oxford
- 2004 Graduate Diploma Law – Oxford Brookes University
- 2005 Very Competent, Bar Vocational Course – Inns of Court School of Law
- 2005 Postgraduate Diploma Professional Legal Skills – Inns of Court School of Law
- 28-7-2005 Called to the Bar – The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn (The Bar Council membership no.: 48693; The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn membership no.: 13046)
- 1-6-2008 Accredited Member of the Mental Health Accreditation Scheme of The Law Society
- 1-9-2008 Admitted to the roll of Solicitors (The Law Society of England and Wales membership no.: 425368)
Qualities:
Georga prides herself on being a real expert. She is highly knowledgeable about the law, including up-to-date case law, which allows her to constantly find ways to push the boundaries of what can be achieved within the legal framework.
Georga believes that the law is a great problem-solving tool. She thinks outside the box and looks at legal problems from more than a mental health law perspective. Georga looks at all legal angles to find a solution.
Offer that competitors do not:
Georga approaches her cases not as a production line where the focus is just on getting to the end of a case. She enjoys working closely with her clients, building a strong relationship of trust. Georga has a real interest in the client as a person, she will go that extra mile to achieve what the client wants and needs to minimise the chances that she is needed again!
Georga is entirely focused on a client and their issues, helping and guiding them through the psychiatric system to achieve the best possible outcome. She has a wealth of experience that enables her to view the client’s issues and lives holistically, which means she can help them achieve discharge, and stay out of hospital.
Strongest benefits to clients:
Georga is a highly effective advocate at Mental Health Tribunals, with a high success rate for clients seeking both discharge and recommendations for leave and transfer to another hospital.
Georga has particular expertise in obtaining the provision and funding for after-care services, including services provided under the Mental Health Act, and accommodation, support and education services provided by local authorities under the Children Act 1989; Children & Families Act 2014; and The Care Act 2014.
Georga is also an expert on the provision of services for people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder / Asperger’s, both in and after hospital.
Georga's personality traits:
Personable and likeable;
Friendly yet professional;
Expert yet approachable;
Concise in a Tribunal;
Persuasive but grounded in the law;
Forward-thinking;
Supplementary:
As a result of an interest in intellectual property law, Georga was a contributor to Engelman’s Intellectual Property Update 2004-2005 (Tottel Publishing, 2005).
Useful Links:
Mental Health Lawyers Association
The Law Society
MHTMA Annual Conference Report 2014
Pickup & Scott Solicitors
Contact Georga Godwin: Mental Health Solicitor Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire
Contact Georga using the online contact form or by calling 01865 596717. You can also email Georga on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
