Andrew Parsons

7th Floor, 85 Fleet Street
London EC4Y 1AE
Email: andrew.parsons@rlb-law.com

Andrew is Senior Partner and Head of Healthcare Providers in our Healthcare team. He has been named by the Legal 500 and Chambers directories as a leading individual in the field of clinical negligence and mental health law, and appears in the Legal 500’s Hall of Fame.
“He is a very experienced and skilful lawyer who gets stuck into cases.” […] “Andrew possesses deep experience in mental health law.” Chambers and Partners 2021
‘Andrew Parsons is simply the best healthcare lawyer there is. Calm and reassuring with clients his cool exterior belies the fact that his brain is working quicker than anyone else in the room.’ Legal 500 2021
Andrew Parsons at RadcliffesLeBrasseur is a healthcare law expert who is considered “a standout on the regulatory side” thanks to his sterling advice to public and private sector clients. Who’s Who Legal 2021
Andrew Parsons provides “first class, pragmatic level advice that cuts to the chase on every occasion,” according to one client, while another says: “There is no one in the industry that can beat his knowledge, expertise and wisdom.” He has considerable expertise advising public and private sector providers on major inquests and investigations. Chambers and Partners 2020
Andrew Parsons frequently advises public and private sector clients on a broad array of regulatory matters. He possesses noteworthy ability in inquests, judicial reviews and Care Quality Commission registrations, and has particular expertise in the mental health services and care home sectors. He is a “well-known industry veteran,” according to one source, while another notes: “He has good relationships with his client.” Chambers and Partners 2020
‘Andrew Parsons is a standout leader in this field – he knows more about the healthcare sector than anyone, and is a problem solver with a wonderful manner with clients that instills confidence.’ Legal 500 2020
Andrew Parsons ‘has great judgement and gives advice that is ‘spot on’ when clients are really in trouble.’ Legal 500 2019
‘Andrew is very helpful, responsive and great at preparing teams for a hearing, as well as providing reassurance and useful tips. I am so glad to have someone that I can trust to provide the level of support needed.’ Chambers and Partners 2019
‘His expertise in the sector as well as his knowledge of our business makes him a critical adviser on complex and sensitive matters.’ Chambers and Partners 2018
‘A tough but realistic litigator with a phenomenal knack for handling difficult cases with ease.’ Legal 500 2017
Interviewees recommend department head Andrew Parsons as ‘a first-rate lawyer,’ and go on to endorse his particular expertise in care home matters. He is widely experienced in the field, having acted in a high number of significant mental health cases. Chambers and Partners 2017
Areas of Expertise
Andrew specialises in health and social care law. He acts for a large number of private sector healthcare providers and care home operators as well as the NHS. Andrew regularly advises on care homes law, mental health law, public law and judicial review and all areas of healthcare law.
He has been involved in many important mental health cases in recent years and is seen as a leading practitioner in this field. He also has experience of large compensation claims and significant untoward incidents. Andrew has extensive advocacy experience including attending inquests on behalf of many healthcare clients.
Andrew acts as adviser on regulatory matters involving CQC regulation and the HSE/police, and has represented many health and adult social care clients in regulatory proceedings. Andrew also has significant court of protection experience.
Experience
Andrew is a regular lecturer and contributor of articles to the health and legal press, and provides an educational programme to clients and others in the healthcare sector, especially relating to mental health, care homes and regulation.
Client Sectors
Healthcare
Membership
The Lowtonian Society
The Law Society
The City of London Solicitors’ Livery Company
Special Adviser to the National Activities Providers Association (NAPA)
- Planning for a life less Covid
10 February 2021 | Care homes | Healthcare - CQC continues with prosecutions
8 February 2021 | Care homes | Healthcare - Court says video assessments unlawful
28 January 2021 | Healthcare | Mental health law - Court says video assessments unlawful
25 January 2021 | Healthcare | Mental health law - White Paper on reform of mental health law
20 January 2021 | Care homes | Healthcare | Mental health law - Major Reform of the Mental Health Act
13 January 2021 | Care homes | Healthcare | Mental health law - Health and Care sector fines update
19 November 2020 | Care homes | Healthcare - New guidance on who pays and commissioning responsibility
23 September 2020 | Healthcare - CQC Transitional Regulatory Approach
26 August 2020 | Care homes | Healthcare - CQC to resume inspections: have you reviewed your Covid-19 practices?
11 August 2020 | Healthcare - How to get the best out of a CQC inspection
27 July 2020 | Care homes | Healthcare - Covid-19 – care home visiting
22 July 2020 | Care homes | Healthcare - Liberty Protection Safeguards – new implementation target date announced
21 July 2020 | Healthcare - A public inquiry into the coronavirus?
2 July 2020 | Healthcare - CQC Inspections update
24 June 2020 | Care homes | Healthcare | Healthcare Professionals - Steps to take following the death of a person working in social care
22 June 2020 | Healthcare - CQC Briefing: Is your service a closed culture?
22 June 2020 | Care homes | Healthcare - Update on Liberty Protection Safeguards
10 June 2020 | Healthcare - CQC launches Emergency Support Framework
7 May 2020 | Care homes | Healthcare - Amending the Mental Health Act: Part 8 – what can we learn from the Coronavirus Act 2020?
28 April 2020 | Mental health law - Amending the Mental Health Act: Part 7 – The Interface with the Mental Capacity Act
18 March 2020 | Mental health law - Amending the Mental Health Act: Part 6 – The Voluntary Patient
17 March 2020 | Mental health law - Amending the Mental Health Act: Part 4 – Reducing the use of CTOs
5 March 2020 | Mental health law - Amending the Mental Health Act: Part 3 – Abolishing the Nearest Relative
25 February 2020 | Mental health law - Amending the Mental Health Act: Part 2 – Statutory Care Plans
13 February 2020 | Mental health law - Amending the Mental Health Act: Part 1 – Abolishing Hospital Managers
31 January 2020 | Mental health law - Government confirms commitment to reform of Mental Health Act
20 December 2019 | Mental health law - Healthcare briefing – CQC notices of proposal: how to respond
1 July 2019 | Care homes | Healthcare | Mental health law - CQC briefing – S.31 notices: A fast and increasing trend
28 June 2019 | Care homes | Healthcare | Mental health law - Care Homes Briefing 194 – Care Home Prosecution Fines Update
4 June 2019 | Care homes | Healthcare | Mental health law - Taking into account group assets to calculate a fine: a chink of light?
29 April 2019 | Corporate | Healthcare - Care homes briefing 193 – Key learnings for care providers from the Ombudsman’s report on care complaints
26 April 2019 | Care homes | Healthcare | Primary care - Healthcare briefing – A call for change: a commissioner for older people?
16 April 2019 | Care homes | Healthcare | Primary care | Tax and private client - CQC issues fixed penalty notice for breach of duty of candour
12 February 2019 | Care homes | Healthcare - Mental health law briefing 254 – Final report of the independent review of the Mental Health Act 1983, December 2018
8 January 2019 | Healthcare | Mental health law - Care homes briefing 189 – CQC announces review of restraint, seclusion and segregation
10 December 2018 | Care homes | Healthcare - Care homes briefing 188 – New powers given to fine directors
6 December 2018 | Care homes | Healthcare - Care home briefing 187 – A new code for prosecutors
5 December 2018 | Care homes - Care homes briefing 185 – Increased prosecution by the CQC?
21 November 2018 | Care homes - Care homes briefing 184 – CCTV in care homes
8 November 2018 | Care homes - Care homes briefing 185 – Recent CQC prosecutions
8 November 2018 | Care homes - CQC briefing – CQC report on private non-specialist acute hospital inspections
26 April 2018 | Care homes | Healthcare - CQC briefing – CQC appeals to the First Tier Tribunal
27 March 2018 | Care homes | Healthcare - Court confirms discretion in health and safety sentencing guidelines
22 March 2018 | Care homes | Health and safety - CQC briefing – CQC Notices of Proposal increase
14 March 2018 | Care homes | Healthcare - Care homes briefing 178 – Guidance for witnesses attending court
14 March 2018 | Care homes | Healthcare | Litigation and dispute resolution - CQC briefing – Updated guidance in respect of Regulation 5: Fit and Proper Persons: Directors
6 March 2018 | Care homes | Healthcare - Care homes briefing 177 – Competition and Markets Authority
1 March 2018 | Care homes - CQC briefing – New CQC guidance on assessing the financial viability of providers applying for registration
1 March 2018 | Care homes | Healthcare - CQC briefing – Increasing prosecution of directors for health and safety offences
22 February 2018 | Care homes - CQC briefing – Healthcare provider prosecutions by the HSE and CQC continue
31 January 2018 | Care homes | Healthcare - CQC briefing – CQC approach to corporate providers to change
25 January 2018 | Care homes | Healthcare - Increasing prosecution of directors for health and safety offences
22 January 2018 | Corporate | Health and safety - Mental health law briefing 243 – Does the section 117 aftercare duty trigger whilst a patient is on leave granted under s17?
10 October 2017 | Healthcare | Mental health law - Care home briefing 170 – Fire, fire! The latest care home prosecution
21 September 2017 | Care homes - Healthcare briefing – CQC and Section 64 requests
18 September 2017 | Care homes | Healthcare - Healthcare briefing – CQC prosecutions: New guidance relevant to guilty pleas
12 September 2017 | Care homes | Healthcare - Healthcare briefing – CQC prosecutions: Case reports
30 August 2017 | Care homes | Healthcare | Primary care - Mental health law briefing 242 – First Tier Tribunal guidance note: The duties of the responsible authority and enforcement
25 August 2017 | Mental health law | Primary care - Healthcare briefing – CQC interviews under caution
23 August 2017 | Care homes | Healthcare - Healthcare briefing – CQC prosecutions: an increasing phenomena?
18 August 2017 | Care homes | Healthcare - Healthcare briefing – Factual accuracy responses to draft CQC reports – New Section C
8 August 2017 | Care homes | Healthcare - Amend flawed Mental Health Act, says think tank
3 August 2017 | Healthcare | Mental health law - Healthcare briefing – S.31 notices: Beware the fast track
25 July 2017 | Care homes | Healthcare | Mental health law - Healthcare briefing – Responding to Notices of Proposal (NOPs)
25 July 2017 | Care homes | Healthcare | Mental health law - Healthcare briefing – CQC and rating appeals
19 July 2017 | Care homes | Healthcare | Mental health law - CQC seminar in Leeds
13 July 2017 | Care homes | Healthcare - Care home briefing 169 – Latest care home abuse prosecution: Atlas Project Team
4 July 2017 | Care homes - Care home briefing 168 – Visiting in care homes
15 May 2017 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 241 – Authorising the detention of children
3 May 2017 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 240 – Can the terms of a conditional discharge by a tribunal or a CTO amount to a deprivation of liberty?
26 April 2017 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 167 – Is the Court of Protection’s role limited by the availability of care options?
30 March 2017 | Care homes - Care home briefing 166 – A summary: Top ups for local authority and CCG fees
23 March 2017 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 239 – Anorexia nervosa: The Court again authorises discharge rather than treatment
22 March 2017 | Mental health law - Inquests in deprivation of liberty cases
24 February 2017 | Healthcare - Care home briefing 165 – CQC prosecution: Failure to provide safe care and treatment
13 February 2017 | Care homes - Case review: Deprivation of Liberty
2 February 2017 | Care homes | Healthcare - Care home briefing 164 – When is it necessary to apply to the Court for a review of a DoLS authorisation?
18 January 2017 | Care homes | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 238 – CQC Report: Monitoring the Mental Health Act in 2015/16
12 December 2016 | Healthcare | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 236 – Highlights from the Annual Mental Health Conference 2016
21 November 2016 | Healthcare | Mental health law - Care home briefing 163 – New guidance to ensure patients participate in Court of Protection cases
21 November 2016 | Care homes | Healthcare - Care home briefing 162 – Banning relatives from care homes or termination of residence contracts
4 November 2016 | Care homes | Healthcare - Mental health law briefing 235 – Hospital managers: Are you complying with paragraph 38.8 of The Code of Practice?
19 October 2016 | Healthcare | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 234 – What happens if hospital managers make a discharge decision in error?
17 October 2016 | Healthcare | Mental health law - Care home briefing 161 – Latest prosecutions in the care home sector
13 October 2016 | Care homes | Healthcare - Care home briefing 160 – Guidance on care home closures
1 September 2016 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 233 – CQC factual accuracy comments: No longer the end of the road
23 August 2016 | Care homes | Healthcare | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 232 – Unlawful detention compensation for ASW error
6 July 2016 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 230 – Anorexia Nervosa: The court authorises discharge rather than treatment
1 June 2016 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 157 – Administration of medicines in care homes
5 May 2016 | Care homes - Care home briefing 156 – Can the CQC demand that providers produce information to them?
21 April 2016 | Care homes | Healthcare - Mental health law briefing 229 – The zone of parental control: Deprivation of Liberty update
6 April 2016 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 228 – Proposed amendments to Sections 135 and 136 Mental Health Act
24 March 2016 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 155 – Hospital deaths to be reviewed by second doctor
17 March 2016 | Care homes | Primary care - Mental health law briefing 227 – Hospital deaths to be reviewed by a second doctor
17 March 2016 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 154 – Home guilty of corporate manslaughter but hospital prosecution collapses
9 February 2016 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 225 – CQC Code of Practice: Confidential personal information
18 January 2016 | Care homes | Healthcare | Mental health law - Care home briefing 152 – Memorandum of Understanding between coroners and the CQC
14 January 2016 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 224 – Memorandum of Understanding between Coroners and the CQC
14 January 2016 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 222 – The interaction between guardianship and DoLS
23 October 2015 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 151 – How to handle personal data
23 October 2015 | Care homes - Care home briefing 149 – Top ups and lifestyle charges
29 July 2015 | Care homes - Care home briefing 148 – Consultation paper: Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty
9 July 2015 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 221 – Use of Section 17 leave for treatment of physical disorder
29 June 2015 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 146 – CQC special measures
9 June 2015 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 218 – Review of learning disability law
9 April 2015 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 217 – Patients’ entitlement to vote in general elections
31 March 2015 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 145 – Care home fees and The ‘usual cost’ model
17 March 2015 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 216 – Guardianship and DoLS
2 March 2015 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 144 – Compensation for unlawful detention
29 January 2015 | Care homes - Care home briefing 143 – Cheshire West revisited?
19 December 2014 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 213 – Anorexia, force feeding and best interest
19 December 2014 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 141 – The consequences of poor care
20 October 2014 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 210 – Are you ‘fit’?
15 October 2014 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 140 – Are you ‘fit’?
26 September 2014 | Care homes - Care home briefing 139 – Safeguarding and the Court of Protection
14 August 2014 | Care homes - Care home briefing 138 – Assessing the need for a DoLS authorisation
24 July 2014 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 207 – Prosecution of mental health staff
22 July 2014 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 206 – The incapacitated patient: Breach of article 5(4) of the European Convention on Human Rights: Mental Health Act 1983 and Mental Capacity Act 2005
10 June 2014 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 136 – Care Certificate pilot scheme now underway
30 May 2014 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 205 – Procedure for transferring detained patients
26 May 2014 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 135 – When a house is not a ‘home’
30 April 2014 | Care homes - Care home briefing 134 – Assets held by care homes for residents
31 March 2014 | Care homes - Care home briefing 133 – Best interests: Guidance from the Supreme Court
28 February 2014 | Care homes - Care home briefing 132 – Care homes, schools, hospitals, prisons: the problem of ‘non-delegable duty of care’
31 January 2014 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 202 – Complex decisions: the interface between the MHA 1983 and the MCA
31 January 2014 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 129 – CQC and hidden cameras in care homes
30 November 2013 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 200 – Case update: Withholding life-sustaining treatment
30 November 2013 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 199 – Services for mental healthcare providers
31 October 2013 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 128 – Criminal neglect: a new offence for managers?
1 October 2013 | Care homes - Care home briefing 127 – Yet another care homes judicial review
30 September 2013 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 198 – Is forcible feeding always medical treatment?
30 September 2013 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 197 – Must reasons be given in advance to recall a patient?
31 August 2013 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 195 – When is a hospital manager’s hearing required?
3 June 2013 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 124 – Mental Capacity Act decisions: To what extent are they person or act specific?
13 May 2013 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 194 – Appropriate unit and appropriate treatment?
6 May 2013 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 193 – How long can a patient be held under section 136?
8 April 2013 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 123 – Complex restrictions on liberty require a detailed policy
1 April 2013 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 192 – Applying for a DoLS authorisation: new roles post April 2013
11 March 2013 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 191 – Objecting to a S.19 transfer between hospitals
4 March 2013 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 190 – Legal issues in the extradition of patients with mental disorders
11 February 2013 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 121 – Impact of Mental Capacity Act on public law
1 February 2013 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 189 – Can a patient pay for their care?
14 January 2013 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 188 – Is seclusion a deprivation of liberty?
31 December 2012 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 120 – Deprivation of Liberty and residential care
3 December 2012 | Care homes | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 187 – Criminal proceedings and human rights
12 November 2012 | Mental health law - Care home briefings 119 – Care homes, councils and the Equality Act
2 November 2012 | Care homes - Care home briefing 118 – The validity of advance decisions
1 November 2012 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 186 – Next of kin and nearest relative: what’s the difference?
17 October 2012 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 117 – Fees and judicial review update
1 October 2012 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 185 – CTOs and SOAD certificates: Section 299 Health and Social Care Act 2012
11 September 2012 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 184 – CQC compliance action
10 September 2012 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 116 – CQC compliance action
3 September 2012 | Care homes - Care home briefing 114 – Preparing for CQC inspections
20 August 2012 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 183 – Preparing for CQC inspections
14 August 2012 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 182 – Court orders force feeding of anorexic patient
16 July 2012 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 113 – Health and safety: Increasing fines for breach of fire safety provisions
2 July 2012 | Care homes - Advance declarations to withdraw treatment
27 June 2012 | Healthcare - Care home briefing 112 – Advance declarations to withdraw treatment
21 June 2012 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 180 – Recognition of Irish detention orders
30 May 2012 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 179 – The Court’s inherent jurisdiction and the Mental Capacity Act
21 May 2012 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 111 – The Queen’s Speech: Government plans to modernise adult social care and support
1 May 2012 | Care homes - Care home briefing 110 – Case update: Powers of restraint and the High Court’s inherent powers
2 April 2012 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 178 – Case update: Powers of restraint and the High Court’s inherent powers
2 April 2012 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 177 – Change of approach to regulation and inspection by the CQC
31 March 2012 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 175 – Olympics: Removal of foreign patients
20 March 2012 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 108 – Change of approach to regulation and inspection by the CQC
5 March 2012 | Care homes - Care home briefing 107 – Judicial reviews and care home fees: the latest position
1 March 2012 | Care homes - Care home briefing 106 – Care homes and fee increases
29 February 2012 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 174 – Rabone v Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
27 February 2012 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 173 – Avoiding pre-judging applications
13 February 2012 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 172 – Olympic briefings
2 January 2012 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 105 – Deprivation of Liberty: children
2 January 2012 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 171 – Can a patient be discharged from detention to a DoLS authorisation?
1 January 2012 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 170 – The financial perils of a corporate manslaughter sentence
31 December 2011 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 104 – Care home company heavily fined after resident death
1 December 2011 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 168 – The police, Section 2 and Section 136 of the Mental Health Act
30 November 2011 | Mental health law - Health and Safety Executive intervention fees
17 November 2011 | Healthcare - GP Commissioning – A Brave New World?
31 October 2011 | Healthcare | Primary care - Care home briefing 103 – New enforcement powers for the CQC?
6 October 2011 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 167 – Relationship between Section 17 leave and CTOs
21 September 2011 | Mental health law - Care home 102 – Careful contract wording required in order to increase care home fees
5 September 2011 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 166 – Patient assaults on staff
8 August 2011 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 101 – Compensation for poor care
1 August 2011 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 165 – Deprivation of Liberty: Seclusion in residential special schools
18 July 2011 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 100 – Fee negotiations: OLM and the Freedom of Information Act
4 July 2011 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 164 – Discharge or CTO?
13 June 2011 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 99 – The operation of DoLS in England 2009/10
8 June 2011 | Care homes - How do you assess Best Interests?
23 May 2011 | Healthcare - Mental health law briefing 163 – How do you assess best interests?
16 May 2011 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 97 – Maximising your registration
2 May 2011 | Care homes - Care home briefing 94 – Census 2011: How does it affect care homes?
1 March 2011 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 162 – The liability of hospital managers for unlawful applications by an AMHP
21 February 2011 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 161 – CQC annual report highlights concerns over the use of CTOs
17 January 2011 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 93 – As the dust settles on re-registration, are you complying with the new regime?
3 January 2011 | Care homes - Care home briefing 92 – Hospice care: a recoverable cost?
2 December 2010 | Care homes - CQC Commissioner Assessment Update
30 November 2010 | Healthcare - Mental health law briefing 159 – Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards case update
15 November 2010 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 90 – Review of vetting and barring scheme
3 November 2010 | Care homes - Care home briefing 89 – Entitlement to GP services
1 November 2010 | Care homes | Primary care - Mental health law briefing 158 – Secret filming in care homes and hospital
31 October 2010 | Mental health law - Mental health law briefing 157 – The affect on a pending manager’s appeal if the patient is placed on supervised community treatment
18 October 2010 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 88 – Secret filming in care homes and hospitals: a legal perspective
4 October 2010 | Care homes - Care home briefing 87 – Pressure on care home fees
2 August 2010 | Care homes - Mental health law briefing 156 – Deprivation of Liberty: The Court rules on restraint and transportation
19 July 2010 | Mental health law - Care home briefing 1 – A new briefing for the care homes sector
3 February 2003 | Care homes