rakesh@thaliwalveja.co.ukRakesh, who heads the Court of Protection department, qualified as a solicitor and a Higher Court Advocate in 2006. He has extensive experience in representing and advocating on behalf of his clients, all the way from the local courts to the Royal Courts of Justice and the Old Bailey. He is also accredited under the Law Society Mental Capacity (Health & Welfare) Accreditation enabling him to represent those assessed as lacking capacity in Court of Protection proceedings. Rakesh was awarded the title of ‘Solicitor of the Year 2023’ by the Leicestershire Law Society due to his exceptional legal knowledge, expertise and client services, and for being considered a role model for other legal professionals. Not only has his whole legal career been dedicated to legal aid work, he also undertakes a large amount of pro bono work to ensure that those who need legal advice and representation can access it.
Rakesh has extensive experience in representing clients in all areas of health and welfare proceedings in the Court of Protection, from contact, residence and social media access to marriage, covert medication and controlling and coercive behaviour. He has been involved in high profile cases, in the High Court that have set guidance and precedent for future cases. He is regularly appointed by the court to act as ALR for clients and also represents family members in proceedings. Rakesh is also often requested to provide training and guidance on the Mental Capacity Act and the Court of Protection.
Rakesh is a Trustee of Leicestershire South Foodbank which provides support to those facing food poverty, as well as being on the board of trustees, he regularly arranges events to raise awareness and vital resources for the charity. He is also a member of MLSS, a charity that provides hot meals and food supplies to those in need. Rakesh supports a number of other charities too, both locally and internationally, including providing access to education in Africa, clothing to those in India and various wildlife charities. The firm also host a number of charitable events and initiatives throughout the year which Rakesh plays a part in.
Any spare time that Rakesh does have is taken up by his two children as their personal chef, chauffeur and butler. He forces himself to go to the gym on occasion, but is always on the lookout for an excuse to get out of it. His favourite pass time of all is to be sat in his garden doing absolutely nothing.