Andrea Sellers

Head of the Court of Protection Department

I graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in law in 1990 and subsequently worked in advice work for five years dealing with welfare benefits, money advice and housing matters. I moved to Welch Airs & Co as a trainee solicitor, and qualified in 1998, becoming a partner in 2002. Whilst with Welch Airs & Co I undertook a broad spectrum of work including family, welfare benefits, and elderly client matters.

Welch Airs and Co merged with Ben Hoare Bell in 2007. I am now head of the Court of Protection department and was made a Partner of Ben Hoare Bell in 2011.

I undertake a variety of work in the Court of Protection and I am regularly instructed to bring applications challenging deprivations of liberty under section 21A Mental Capacity Act 2005. I also act for family members of the incapacitated person in both welfare and property and financial matters.

In May 2019 I achieved Accredited Legal Representative/Accredited Practitioner status on the Law Society Mental Capacity (Welfare) Accreditation Scheme and am frequently appointed by the Court of Protection to act ALR, representing clients who lack capacity to instruct a solicitor.

I am also head of our expanding Lasting Power of Attorney and Deputyship department and act as a Professional Deputy.