Contact clerking team
Download Adam's CV
Choose the Expertise to be included in the CV download:
Add to shortlist
Privacy notice
Adam Fullwood
Year of call: 1996
“Adam is an excellent communicator with depth of knowledge and great with clients. He is robust when needed but persuasive in a manner befitting the jurisdictions we work in." Chambers and Partners, 2022
Adam Fullwood’s main areas of practice are public and administrative law (community care/adult social services, care homes, charging, safeguarding, social housing, inquests, inquiries, prison, care standards, education, human rights law, mental capacity and mental health, Court of Protection and immigration), regulatory and disciplinary, public procurement and local government. He has particular experience in representing care home owners and care providers. He is a member of the Attorney General’s regional ‘A’ panel, a Football Association Safeguarding Panel Member and an accredited mediator (CEDR). Adam sits as an assistant coroner.
Areas of expertise
Administrative and Public
Adam has a wide ranging public law practice encompassing adult social care, inherent jurisdiction, healthcare, local government, pharmaceutical and safeguarding matters.
Cases of note
- NHS Liverpool CCG v X [2022] EWCOP 17 - Dispute over whether to give an incapacitated person who had epilepsy and other health conditions the vaccine against Covid-19 where that person had already contracted the virus.
- PH v A Clinical Commissioning Group [2022] EWCOP 12 - A claim to dismiss an application in the Court of Protection for orders in relation to a young person detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983.
- R (On the application of Lancashire CC) v Secretary of State for Health [2021] EWHC 268 (Admin) - A dispute between local authority concerning responsibility for funding accommodation and care for a man that had suffered a catastrophic brain injury.
- R (On the application of Nettleship) v NHS South Tyneside CCG [2020] EWCA Civ 46 - A judicial review claim in relation to the reconfiguration of hospital services involving a challenge to the consultation process carried out by reference to s14Z2(2) of the National Health Service Act 2006.
- Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v GTI [2020] EWCOP 28 - An urgent medical treatment case in which Mr Justice Williams made declarations that GTI lacked capacity to make decisions as to the provision of life-sustaining food and fluid together with anti-psychotic medication and authorised the same using such force as was necessary and in GTI’s best interests.
Inquests and Inquiries
Adam regularly appears for interested parties at Inquests with particular experience of cases in healthcare settings. He also has significant experience in acting for health bodies in Public Inquiries including the Manchester Arena Bombing, Thirlwall Inquiry and the ongoing Lampard Inquiry.
Regulatory and Disciplinary
Adam accepts instructions across a wide range of disciplines for both practitioners and regulators. He has particular experience and interest in regulatory matters arising in the health and social care sectors.
Medical Treatment Cases
Adam specialises in medical treatment and welfare cases in the Court of Protection and is regularly instructed by the NHS Trusts and other health bodies local authorities, the Official Solicitor as well as by private individuals. He advises on urgent and other medical treatment cases in respect of adults and children, in the Court of Protection, Family Division, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court. Adam has particular experience and interest in legally complex welfare cases, such as hybrid welfare and property and affairs cases, and cases involving a cross border issue, mental health or community care law, and potential Human Rights Act or judicial review claims.
Cases of Note
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v GWS [2025] EWCOP 23 (T3) per Theis J: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Best interests; Capacity; Consent to treatment; Drug users; Ketamine; Medical treatment; Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust v AX [2025] EWCOP 21 (T3) per Khalique KC: Best interests; Caesarean sections; Mental capacity; Pregnancy
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v PK [2025] EWCOP 17 (T3) per Mckendrick J: Best interests; Death; Life-sustaining treatment; Withdrawal
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust v PP [2025] EWHC 783 (Fam) per McKendrick J: Blood tests; Children's welfare; Consent to treatment; Infections; Jurisdiction; Pregnancy; Right to respect for private and family life; Unborn children
- Guys & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust v MB [2025] EWHC 360 (Fam) per Theis J: Babies; Best interests; Brain damage; Life-sustaining treatment; Medical treatment; Withdrawal
- A Local Authority v The Mother [2024] EWHC 3595 (Fam) per Arbuthnot J: Attempts; Best interests assessments; Children; Death; Life-sustaining treatment; Withdrawal; Murder; Parental contact
- Barnet, Enfield & Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust v CC [2024] EWCOP 65 (T3) per Hayden J: Consent to treatment; Eating disorders; Medical treatment; Mental capacity
- East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust v CD [2024] EWCOP 55 – treatment for continued haemodialysis
- A Local Authority v P [2024] EWHC 1882 – the reach of the inherent jurisdiction to deprive a vulnerable young adult of her liberty when at risk of undue influence from a coercive and controlling parent
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust v VA [2023] EWCOP 39 – withdrawal of life sustaining treatment
- Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust v AH [2023] EWCOP 1 – treatment, including restraint, for patient with type 1 diabetes
- TN v NHS ICB [2022] EWCOP 53 – whether to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to a patient with learning disabilities where parent strongly objects
Recommendations
- "Adam is an excellent communicator with depth of knowledge and great with clients. He is robust when needed but persuasive in a manner befitting the jurisdictions we work in." Chambers and Partners (2022) Court of Protection: Health & Welfare, All Circuits, Band 1
- "He is personable and charming and doesn't lose sight of his client's objectives. He will reach solutions for his client that leave all parties satisfied, without an overly aggressive approach." Chambers and Partners (2022) Court of Protection: Health & Welfare, All Circuits, Band 1
- "Adam Fullwood is an incredibly experienced and knowledgeable barrister." "He is very economical in his advocacy; he understands brevity is a virtue." Chambers and Partners (2022) Civil Liberties & Human Rights, Northern Bar, Band 1
- "An extremely competent and constructive opponent to have in a case." Chambers and Partners (2022) Administrative & Public Law – The Regions (Bar), Band 1
- "He is fantastic, a completely top-drawer barrister." Chambers and Partners (2022) Administrative & Public Law – The Regions (Bar), Band 1
