Necia Reith

Necia’s professional biography

Originally from California, Necia studied history at Harvard University before moving to the UK where she undertook further study at the London School of Economics, completed a law conversion course at City University and a further qualification in Mental Health Law (Children and Young People) at Northumbria University. She has worked in fields relating to mental capacity and the provision of statutory services for over 15 years.

Necia has particular experience and expertise in Judicial Review proceedings and is well placed to provide comprehensive advice relating to the rights of disabled children and adults, living with a disability, injury or illness.

She is dual trained as a counsellor specialising in working with young people and families. Her combined skillset is evident in her handling of complex cases that sit within real human and family dynamics. She provides expert advice, communicated clearly and compassionately.

Necia has been at the forefront of instructing witness intermediaries to support vulnerable witnesses in Court of Protection proceedings. This includes her role as part of the legal team instructed to represent the protected parties in the landmark Court of Protection case of P v Cheshire West and Chester [2014] UKSC 19 in which Lady Hale set out the “acid test” regarding deprivations of liberty. She was also part of the legal team acting for the claimant in the public law case of TTM v LB Hackney [2011] which gave rise to the established position on the unlawful detention of patients on mental health grounds.

Necia is the first generation of her family to attend university and has lived experience of accessing social care. She is passionate about widening access to the legal profession. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, making new things out of old things, board games with her family and long walks with her dog.