TOLLERS Solicitors are leading providers of legal advice and assistance in the ever-growing field of Elderly and Vulnerable Client Law, with a specialist team dedicated to supporting people in this area.
The Elderly and Vulnerable Client Unit (EVCU) specialises in providing sound advice on issues such as NHS continuing healthcare and local authority care funding, lasting powers of attorney, deputyships, capacity issues, personal injury trusts and Court of Protection applications.
The EVCU also actively manages financial affairs for a large number of clients who are no longer able to manage their own finances due to incapacity.
The EVCU team is made up of professionals with a wide variety of skills and also has the benefit of Panel Deputy Martin Hill, Professional Deputies Barry Rogers and Tonina Ashby and Tollers’ own Trust Corporation. As a Court of Protection appointed Panel Deputy, Martin is one of only nine Panel Deputies in the West Midlands and, due to their specialist team and expertise, Tollers have had an elected Panel Deputy member since the inception of the Court Panel. Tollers are also a member of the Brain Injury Group Court of Protection Panel of specialist solicitors.
The EVCU is headed up by Tonina Ashby, who joined the firm in 2013 as a Trainee Legal Executive. After qualifying as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 2014, Tonina then went on to become a solicitor and was admitted to the roll in 2016. Last year (2019) Tonina became an accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly and also received a promotion to Senior Associate in her role as Head of the EVCU.
Tonina also undertook a Dementia Champions Induction and as a volunteer for Alzheimers Society, Tonina delivers information sessions for those who wish to become Dementia Friends.
Each year, Tollers Solicitors host a conference aimed at a range of professionals who work with the elderly and vulnerable. Tollers are delighted to announce that the next conference is to be held at the Kettering Park Hotel in Kettering on Thursday, 12 March 2020. The audience is often made up of social workers, charities, health professionals, financial advisors and others who work with older or vulnerable people. Its purpose is to provide expert information and updates regarding this complex and ever-changing area of practice.
This year’s focus is Capacity and the Individual and will mark Tollers’ sixth annual Elderly and Vulnerable Client Conference. The aim of this conference is to bring the attention back to the individuals the firm supports in a professional role and the importance of maintaining their independence. It is a focus on a person-centred approach and remembering that it is about dealing with truly unique individuals, whose views and wishes should be respected.
The annual conference features a number of guest speakers on a variety of topics, as well as speakers from within the firm itself and this year is no different. This year, Tollers are delighted to announce that Michael Culver, Chairman of Solicitors for the Elderly and Partner at Bolt Burdon Solicitors, will be speaking at the conference about the incapacity crisis facing the nation and the importance of making lasting powers of attorney.
Other speakers include specialists from St Andrew’s Healthcare, who will be discussing capacity assessments and their challenges through case studies; Shane Booth – The Man That Speaks, a brain injury survivor who will be discussing his life and his incredible story; Jane Jackson, brain injury case manager; Tristan Holdom, a brain and spinal cord injury specialist; and the wonderful Alzheimer’s Society and guests.
Tonina Ashby, head of the EVCU team based in Tollers’ head office in Northampton, said “We are excited to be delivering another unique and insightful conference this year, with a very important focus. It is imperative that we do not lose sight of why we all work in this industry, which is to assist and encourage individuals who require support. Whilst the team is based in the Northampton office, we are proud to provide our services to people in all areas throughout Northamptonshire, Rutland, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.”
The annual Tollers EVCU conference will be held on Thursday, 12 March 2020 at the Kettering Park Hotel in Kettering. Spaces are still available at a discounted rate for Business Times readers: simply quote BTDIS03.
To secure your place on this insightful and informative conference, to arrange a Dementia Friends Information Session, or to secure a free legal speaker for your own event or training, call Tonina Ashby on 01604 258787 or email
