Gary Hogan

Gary is the Senior Partner of Hogans Solicitors. Gary Hogan BA (Hons) (Law).

Gary qualified as a solicitor in 1982 and founded Hogans in 1986. From a standing start workforce of two in 1986 Hogans has developed into a practice exclusively specialising in the protection of vulnerable adults and children and has expanded to over thirty dedicated personnel. Gary was a Law Society Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel Member from 1987 to 2004. As well as representing patients at Tribunals Gary was commissioned by Hallam University as a visiting lecturer to provide legal training for the use of Control and Restraint techniques at Special Hospitals. Gary has been a Law Society Children Panel Member since 1989. In 1995 Gary was awarded a Diploma in Forensic Behavioural Science from Liverpool University and has been a Member of the Court of Protection Panel of Deputies since 2002.

Gary has been involved in many significant and reported cases most notably:-

R -v- Manchester City Council, ex parte Stennett and two other actions, House of Lords, 25th July 2002.
Section 117 Aftercare Provision includes Local Authority financing residential unit.

O and N [2003> 1 FLR 1169
Uncertain perpetrator following physical harm. Correct approach when not clear which parent caused harm or whether both caused harm was that neither parent could be exculpated.

O and N (Care : Preliminary Hearing) [2002> EWCA Civ 1271 [2002> 2 FLR 1167
Finding of Fact / preliminary hearing unnecessary in a straightforward case. Responsibility of solicitors and counsel for all parties to agree on the questions to be resolved by way of formulated issues.

D, L and LA (Care : Change of Forename) [2003> 1 FLR 339
Change of forenames by foster carers. Appropriate procedure for change of forename. Carers without parental responsibility had no power to change name.

S -V- Knowsley Borough Council [2004> 2 FLR 716.
Secure Accommodation Orders - construction of Section 25 of the Children Act determining whether placement was unlawful and construction of the word "likely" meaning "a real possibility". Judicial Review was an appropriate course of action / remedy as it could be combined with points made under the Human Rights Act 1988.

Gary has been involved with a number of high profile cases relating to the issue of mental capacity both before and after the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Gary now concentrates his specialism on Childcare Public Law with particular emphasis on adults with mental health difficulties and works almost exclusively for Children's Guardians representing the child / children concerned or for parents with mental health difficulties through the Official Solicitor.

Gary was runner up Legal Aid Family Lawyer of the Year in 2004.

Gary lives in Rainhill with his wife and three children and his dog, Harry