Neil Allen

Neil Allen is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester and Clinical Lead of its Legal Advice Centre, where he has served since 2003. He is also a practicing barrister at 39 Essex Chambers, called to the Bar in 1999, with a particular focus on mental health and incapacity law. His expertise spans the Court of Protection, Mental Health Act 1983, and Mental Capacity Act 2005, where he has been involved in numerous landmark cases including Cheshire West, N v ACCG, and Re X.

• University of Manchester - Senior Lecturer and Clinical Lead of Legal Advice Centre
• 39 Essex Chambers - Barrister specializing in Court of Protection and Mental Health Law
• Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing - Research affiliate

Allen earned his Law degree from Manchester University and the Inns of Court School of Law. His academic journey has been complemented by extensive practical experience in the legal field, creating a unique perspective that informs both his teaching and legal practice.

Neil Allen's research focuses on mental health and incapacity law, with particular emphasis on the intersection of human rights, mental capacity, and legal safeguards. His work explores complex areas including deprivation of liberty, capacity assessments for social media use, sexual capacity determinations, and the application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in various contexts. He approaches these topics with an academic rigor that is tempered by practical legal experience, offering insights that bridge theory and practice in mental health law.

His publication record shows a consistent focus on evolving legal frameworks, with recent work examining reforms to the Mental Health Act 1983, capacity assessment methodologies, and the practical application of liberty protection safeguards. The articles demonstrate a progression from foundational legal principles toward more nuanced explorations of capacity in digital contexts and the rights of marginalized communities within mental health frameworks.

• Law Teacher of the Year finalist 2019
• Making a Difference Award for Inspiring Communities
• Manchester Law Society's Legal Award for best Pro Bono/Student Community Initiative
• LawWorks and Attorney General's prize for Best New Student Pro Bono Activity
• Consistently ranked in Legal500 and Chambers & Partners as a leading barrister

Allen actively supervises student work and provides expert legal training to frontline health and social care practitioners. He has secured research funding for projects including 'The impact of Care Easements under the Coronavirus Act 2020 on the carers of partners with dementia' and 'An investigation into aftercare planning for those remitted to prison from secure services.' His Dementia Law Clinic provides pro bono services while serving as a practical teaching environment for law students.

He leads the University of Manchester's Legal Advice Centre and the Dementia Law Clinic, which has received multiple awards for its community impact. Allen also contributes to national legal discourse through his website www.lpslaw.co.uk and as an advisor to the Care Quality Commission's Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Advisory Group and the Welsh Minister's approved clinician and section 12 re/approval courses.