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Shona joined Weightmans in 2024, having previously spent 17 years working for in-house local authority teams at Warrington Borough Council and Cheshire East Borough Council. Shona specialised in adult social care and education law following her qualification in 2003.

Shona regularly acts for local authorities in matters relating to adult protection and best interests determinations, applications before the Court of Protection, general community care obligations, ordinary residence disputes, mental health law and charging. She advises local authorities and schools on school organisation, exclusions and admissions, SEN provision and school transport. Shona also provides general strategic advice to schools and local authorities.

Shona also advises local authorities and schools on responding to request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and their obligations under data protection legislation.

Shona’s breadth of local authority experience gives her insight into local authority structure and function, and a good understanding of the pressures and constraints that local authority legal and social work teams face.

Shona is an experienced advocate and demonstrates excellent attention to detail when drafting court orders and other important documents.

Shona is professional, friendly and approachable, and is able to establish excellent working relationships with social care client departments and legal professionals alike.

Notable cases

  • Shona acted in Haining v Warrington Borough Council [2014] EWCA Civ 398, a case which determined that, when working out costs under s9 Education Act 1996, the ordinary meaning should be given to the term ‘public expenditure’, therefore a local authority must compare the total cost of both placements to the public purse.

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