# Mental Capacity & Expert Witness Work | Ben Slater Source: https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/expertise/ Content updated: 2026-10-20 [Home](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/) / Areas of expertise Areas of expertise # Complex questions. Considered answers. My work brings together mental capacity, independent expert evidence and adult social care. Enquiries and instructions are administered through Nellie Supports. [Discuss an instruction→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/contact/#enquiry) ## What is my professional focus? I assess and report on questions that affect a person’s decisions, care and wellbeing. My role is to consider the relevant evidence, make the reasoning clear and provide an independent professional view within the agreed scope. [Mental capacity](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/expertise/#mental-capacity) [Expert witness work](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/expertise/#expert-witness) [Adult social care](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/expertise/#social-care) [Safeguarding & best interests](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/expertise/#safeguarding) 01 / Mental capacity ## The right question. The individual decision. Court of Protection COP3 Testamentary capacity Litigation capacity Mental capacity work requires a clear understanding of the decision being considered and the purpose of the assessment. My experience includes Court of Protection matters, testamentary capacity, finances, litigation, care and residence. The assessment needs to consider the individual, the relevant information and how the person can be supported to participate. The report should explain the evidence and reasoning behind the opinion, including any limitations. [Discuss a capacity enquiry→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/contact/#enquiry) 02 / Expert witness work ## Independent opinion. Transparent reasoning. Court of Protection Family proceedings Civil proceedings I prepare independent social work reports and expert evidence for legal proceedings. The instruction should identify the questions to be addressed, the relevant forum and directions, the available records and any deadline. Independence means reaching a professional view supported by the evidence. It also means identifying gaps, explaining uncertainty and being clear about the boundaries of my expertise. [My approach to professional standards→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/standards/) 03 / Adult social care ## Understanding needs. Planning support. Needs assessment Care planning NHS Continuing Healthcare My background in adult social care includes assessing needs, planning support and considering how a person’s circumstances affect daily life. This work draws on experience in statutory services and independent practice. Areas include adult care needs, care planning, NHS Continuing Healthcare and care funding. The appropriate assessment and the professional questions to be answered are agreed at the outset. [Enquire through Nellie Supports→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/contact/#enquiry) 04 / Safeguarding & best interests ## Careful consideration. A person’s voice. Adult safeguarding Best interests Professional advice Safeguarding and best interests questions can bring together risk, relationships, a person’s wishes and the views of different professionals. My work includes assessment and professional advice in these areas. A clear account should distinguish the evidence, the options and the reasoning. Understanding the individual and the context is central to that process. [Ask about a potential instruction→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/contact/#enquiry) Before an instruction ## Start with the purpose. Agree the scope. Please keep initial enquiries general. The team can discuss suitability, any potential conflicts, availability, fees and secure arrangements for documents. [Contact the team→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/contact/) - The decision or professional question to be addressed - Who is instructing and who will use the report - Any court directions or required format - Relevant deadlines and the outline of available evidence - Communication or access needs for the assessment - Whether you wish to instruct Ben personally Profile & sources ## About this information Professional profile of [Ben Slater](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/about/) . Website updated 20 October 2026 . For a current CV or a correction to this profile, [contact Nellie Supports](mailto:nellie@nelliesupports.com?subject=Ben%20Slater%20profile%20enquiry) . Please include the relevant page when suggesting a correction. ### Professional references - [Nellie Supports — scope and practice standards](https://www.nelliesupports.com/about-nellie-supports/professional-standards) Further reading on professional background, research and practice. Further information [Ben’s qualifications and experience→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/about/) [Professional standards and reasoning→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/standards/) [Discuss an instruction→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/contact/#enquiry) The next conversation ## Good work starts with a clear question. For a potential instruction, a speaking invitation or a professional conversation, contact me through the Nellie Supports team. [Get in touch→ ](https://www.ben-slater.co.uk/contact/)