Mental Capacity Assessments
in London

Why Choose A Mental Capacity Assessment?

Halcyon Doctors provides private mental capacity assessments in London for families, solicitors, attorneys, deputies and professionals who need clear medical opinion on a person’s ability to make a specific decision. Our independent doctors provide structured reports for legal, financial, welfare and care-related decisions, with appointments available at suitable locations across London.

Our mental capacity assessments determine an individual’s ability to:

Retrospective Capacity Assessments

We also offer retrospective capacity assessments evaluating whether an individual had the mental capacity to make decisions in the past.

If you need a trusted, specialist assessment, we’re here to help.

How is Mental Capacity Assessed?

A mental capacity assessment looks at whether a person can make a specific decision at the time it needs to be made. The assessment considers whether they can understand the relevant information, retain it long enough to make the decision, use or weigh that information, and communicate their decision.

This is important because capacity is not a general judgement. A person may be able to make some decisions but not others, and their capacity may vary depending on the decision, timing, health and support available.

This usually involves looking at whether they can:

Capacity can vary depending on the decision, the timing of the assessment, the person’s health and the support available to them. For this reason, a person may have capacity for one decision but not another.

How the Process Works

Initial Enquiry

We discuss the decision that needs to be assessed, the reason for the assessment and any legal, medical or family context that may be relevant.

Background Review

Where appropriate, we review medical records, solicitor instructions, care notes, legal documents or other supporting information before the appointment.

Assessment Appointment

The assessment is carried out by a suitable doctor, either at home, in a care home, hospital, solicitor’s office or another appropriate setting.

Written Report

Following the assessment, we provide a clear written report setting out the evidence considered, the legal test applied and the doctor’s opinion.

Further Support

Where needed, we can liaise with solicitors, attorneys, deputies, family members or other professionals involved in the matter.

Types of Mental Capacity Assessments We Provide in London

LPA Capacity Assessments

For individuals setting up or revoking a Lasting Power of Attorney where there are concerns about understanding, consent, undue influence or future legal challenge.

Testamentary Capacity Assessments

For individuals making or changing a Will, particularly where there is cognitive impairment, family dispute, dementia diagnosis or a risk of the Will being challenged.

COP3 Court of Protection Assessments

For Court of Protection applications where expert opinion is needed on a person’s ability to make decisions about finances, property, health or welfare.

Capacity to Manage Financial Affairs

For decisions involving banking, investments, property, pensions, deputyship or day-to-day financial management.

Capacity to Decide Where to Live or Receive Care

For decisions around care homes, supported living, hospital discharge, home care or care planning.

Capacity to Make a Gift

For significant financial gifts where there may be concerns about understanding, pressure, vulnerability or future dispute.

Litigation Capacity

For individuals involved in legal proceedings where there is a need to establish whether they can instruct solicitors or participate in the process.

Retrospective Capacity Assessments

For cases where opinion is needed on whether someone had capacity at a previous point in time, often in relation to a Will, gift, property transfer or legal document.

Our Specialists in London

We ensure that every patient is matched with the most suitable Halcyon Doctor based on their specialism, location, and spoken language. Find Your Halcyon Doctor in London below.

Dr Yasmin Abbasi

COVERING:

London & South of England

Dr Yasmin Abbasi

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MBBS, BSc (Hons), MRCPsych

Dr Abbasi qualified as a Doctor from St Barts and the Royal London Medical School in 2011. She also has a 1st class honours BSc in Psychology from the University of Leicester. She trained in Psychiatry in Surrey, obtaining CCT in General Adult Psychiatry, Older Adult Psychiatry and an endorsement in Liaison Psychiatry.
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Dr Yasmin Abbasi

Dr Yasmin Abbasi

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MBBS, BSc (Hons), MRCPsych

COVERING:

London & South of England

Dr Abbasi qualified as a Doctor from St Barts and the Royal London Medical School in 2011. She also has a 1st class honours BSc in Psychology from the University of Leicester. She trained in Psychiatry in Surrey, obtaining CCT in General Adult Psychiatry, Older Adult Psychiatry and an endorsement in Liaison Psychiatry.
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COVERING:

Dr Simon Adelman

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

BSc MBBS MRCPsych MSc PhD

Dr Adelman is a consultant psychiatrist, specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in older people. He qualified as a doctor from King’s College London in 1996 and completed his specialist psychiatric training in 2007. He has dual accreditation with the GMC, to practice general adult and old age psychiatry.
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Dr Simon Adelman

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

BSc MBBS MRCPsych MSc PhD

COVERING:

Dr Adelman is a consultant psychiatrist, specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in older people. He qualified as a doctor from King’s College London in 1996 and completed his specialist psychiatric training in 2007. He has dual accreditation with the GMC, to practice general adult and old age psychiatry.
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COVERING:

Dr Hema Ananth

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MB BS BSc FRCPsych MHMEd

Dr Hema Ananth qualified from UCL in 1995 and has now been established as a Consultant Psychiatrist for 15 years. She completed her Psychiatric training on the Royal Free Training Scheme.
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Dr Hema Ananth

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MB BS BSc FRCPsych MHMEd

COVERING:

Dr Hema Ananth qualified from UCL in 1995 and has now been established as a Consultant Psychiatrist for 15 years. She completed her Psychiatric training on the Royal Free Training Scheme.
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COVERING:

London, Essex & Kent

Dr Mohan Bhat

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MBBS, DPM, FRCPsych, MBA

Dr Mohan Bhat has been a consultant old age psychiatrist since 2002 and is currently the Deputy Chief Medical officer at Kent and Medway partnership NHS trust. He is currently the Chair of the Faculty of Old age Psychiatry at the Royal college of Psychiatrists.
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Dr Mohan Bhat

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MBBS, DPM, FRCPsych, MBA

COVERING:

London, Essex & Kent

Dr Mohan Bhat has been a consultant old age psychiatrist since 2002 and is currently the Deputy Chief Medical officer at Kent and Medway partnership NHS trust. He is currently the Chair of the Faculty of Old age Psychiatry at the Royal college of Psychiatrists.
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COVERING:

London, Essex & Hertfordshire

Dr Mina Bobdey

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

FRCPsych, CILT, CSBM, DPM, MBBS

Dr Mina Bobdey has been in the field of Mental Health since 1993. She has worked as Consultant Psychiatrist since 2002 in UK, New Zealand and India. She currently works as Consultant Psychiatrist in Old age Psychiatry and Liaison Psychiatry on contract bases. She also works for Ministry of Justice as medical member for Mental Health review tribunals in UK, Jersey and Guernsey and specialist visitor for Office of Public Guardian. She also works as a medical examiner for DVLA and GMC. She is appointed as second opinion appointed doctor (SOAD) for Govt of Isle of Man. She is a clinical advisor for Parliament Health Ombudsman.
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Dr Mina Bobdey

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

FRCPsych, CILT, CSBM, DPM, MBBS

COVERING:

London, Essex & Hertfordshire

Dr Mina Bobdey has been in the field of Mental Health since 1993. She has worked as Consultant Psychiatrist since 2002 in UK, New Zealand and India. She currently works as Consultant Psychiatrist in Old age Psychiatry and Liaison Psychiatry on contract bases. She also works for Ministry of Justice as medical member for Mental Health review tribunals in UK, Jersey and Guernsey and specialist visitor for Office of Public Guardian. She also works as a medical examiner for DVLA and GMC. She is appointed as second opinion appointed doctor (SOAD) for Govt of Isle of Man. She is a clinical advisor for Parliament Health Ombudsman.
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COVERING:

London & Surrey

Dr Karim Fazal

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MBBS, BSc, MRCPsych

Dr Fazal is a consultant psychiatrist, specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in older adults. He qualified as a doctor from King’s College London in 2010.
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Dr Karim Fazal

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MBBS, BSc, MRCPsych

COVERING:

London & Surrey

Dr Fazal is a consultant psychiatrist, specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in older adults. He qualified as a doctor from King’s College London in 2010.
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COVERING:

Dr Dina Gazizova

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MB BS MRCPsych CCST

Dr Dina Gazizova is a Consultant in Psychiatry of Intellectual Disabilities and is employed by the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust as a community
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Dr Dina Gazizova

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MB BS MRCPsych CCST

COVERING:

Dr Dina Gazizova is a Consultant in Psychiatry of Intellectual Disabilities and is employed by the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust as a community
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COVERING:

London & Surrey

Dr Matthew Hagger

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MB BS, MA (Oxon), BA, MRCPsych, DGM

Dr Matthew Hagger studied at Oxford University and the Royal Free Hospital, London, gaining a first in physiological sciences at Oxford. His core and higher Psychiatric training was in London. He is dual trained in old age and adult Psychiatry, with an endorsement in Liaison Psychiatry.
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Dr Matthew Hagger

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MB BS, MA (Oxon), BA, MRCPsych, DGM

COVERING:

London & Surrey

Dr Matthew Hagger studied at Oxford University and the Royal Free Hospital, London, gaining a first in physiological sciences at Oxford. His core and higher Psychiatric training was in London. He is dual trained in old age and adult Psychiatry, with an endorsement in Liaison Psychiatry.
Read more

COVERING:

Surrey & South-West London

Dr Josie Jenkinson

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MBBS BSc (Hons) MSc PhD FRCPsych

Dr Josie Jenkinson graduated in Medicine from St George’s, University of London in 2005, and has a PhD in Old Age Psychiatry from King’s College London.
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Dr Josie Jenkinson

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MBBS BSc (Hons) MSc PhD FRCPsych

COVERING:

Surrey & South-West London

Dr Josie Jenkinson graduated in Medicine from St George’s, University of London in 2005, and has a PhD in Old Age Psychiatry from King’s College London.
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COVERING:

Dr Colin Mitchell

CONSULTANT GERIATRICIAN

MB ChB MSc MRCP

Dr Colin Mitchell Graduated in Medicine in 2002 from Edinburgh University. He has served as a Senior House Officer and Specialist Registrar at various hospitals throughout the UK and also the Maroondah Hospital in Melbourne.
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Dr Colin Mitchell

CONSULTANT GERIATRICIAN

MB ChB MSc MRCP

COVERING:

Dr Colin Mitchell Graduated in Medicine in 2002 from Edinburgh University. He has served as a Senior House Officer and Specialist Registrar at various hospitals throughout the UK and also the Maroondah Hospital in Melbourne.
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COVERING:

London, Surrey & Essex

Dr Kapila Sachdev

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MB BS MRCPsych

Dr Sachdev completed her medical graduation from India. She completed her membership exams in 2010 and attained a completion of certificate training in old age psychiatry in 2013. She has an interest in teaching and completed a certificate in learning and teaching from Queen Mary University, London.
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Dr Kapila Sachdev

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MB BS MRCPsych

COVERING:

London, Surrey & Essex

Dr Sachdev completed her medical graduation from India. She completed her membership exams in 2010 and attained a completion of certificate training in old age psychiatry in 2013. She has an interest in teaching and completed a certificate in learning and teaching from Queen Mary University, London.
Read more

COVERING:

Dr Claudia Wald

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MBBS MRCPsych

Dr Wald is a Consultant Psychiatrist specialising in the mental health of older adults. She gained dual accreditation in adult and older adult psychiatry from the
Read more

Dr Claudia Wald

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

MBBS MRCPsych

COVERING:

Dr Wald is a Consultant Psychiatrist specialising in the mental health of older adults. She gained dual accreditation in adult and older adult psychiatry from the
Read more

COVERING:

London & East Anglia

Dr James Warner

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

BSc MB BS MD FRCP FRCPsych FHEA

Dr Warner is a consultant psychiatrist specialising in older adult’s mental health. He qualified as a doctor from Charing Cross Hospital Medical School in 1986. After further
Read more

Dr James Warner

CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

BSc MB BS MD FRCP FRCPsych FHEA

COVERING:

London & East Anglia

Dr Warner is a consultant psychiatrist specialising in older adult’s mental health. He qualified as a doctor from Charing Cross Hospital Medical School in 1986. After further
Read more

Why Choose Halcyon Doctors?

At Halcyon Doctors, we provide independent, expert-led mental capacity assessments designed to bring absolute clarity to complex decisions. Our approach is thorough, legally robust, and tailored to each individual’s needs.

Thorough Assessments by Expert Medical Professionals

Our specialists conduct comprehensive evaluations (up to 120 minutes), considering cognitive, psychological, and physical health. Where appropriate, we offer a streamlined assessment.

Reports That Integrate within Legal Processes

Our meticulously documented findings ensure that decisions are defensible against legal challenges, meeting all required legal standards. We can act as certificate providers for LPAs, complete CoP3 forms, and can witness Wills, ensuring seamless integration with legal processes.

Combined Medical and Legal Knowledge

We aim to maximise mental capacity by considering health conditions, treatment options, and optimal assessment timing, ensuring a fair and accurate evaluation. Ensure clarity and confidence in important legal decisions. Explore our expert-led Capacity Services across the UK here.

- Solicitor, Osbornes LLP

“I was very pleased and impressed with the service you provided.”

Where Do We Cover?

Halcyon Doctors provides mental capacity assessments across London and the surrounding areas. Our doctors can attend suitable locations including private homes, care homes, hospitals, legal offices and professional settings.

We support clients across Central London, North London, South London, East London and West London, as well as surrounding areas where one of our specialists is available. When you contact us, we will match you with the most suitable doctor based on the type of assessment required, location, clinical specialism and availability.

We also offer our services across England and Wales and we will connect you with the most suitable Halcyon Doctor based on your needs.

How Can I Learn More?

Get clear, expert-led mental capacity assessments with transparent pricing tailored to your needs. Learn more about our assessment options, fees, and services on our Capacity Services page. If you have any questions or need to arrange an assessment, our team is here to help. Contact us today.

- Solicitor, Charles Russell
Speechlys LLP

“Dear [Halcyon Doctor], thank you for the comprehensive report on Mrs H’s capacity. I am very glad to have received such a detailed report, which chimed with my own view that Mrs H has full capacity.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mental capacity assessment?

A mental capacity assessment considers whether a person can make a specific decision at the time it needs to be made. It is not a general judgement about someone’s overall ability, diagnosis or age. The assessment looks at whether they can understand, retain, use or weigh the relevant information and communicate their decision.

This depends on the decision being assessed and the context in which the report is needed. For complex legal, financial, medical or disputed matters, it is often appropriate to instruct an experienced doctor, psychiatrist, geriatrician or other suitably qualified professional.

You may need an assessment if there are concerns about someone’s ability to make or change a Will, set up a Lasting Power of Attorney, manage finances, sell property, make a gift, decide where to live, consent to care, or take part in legal proceedings.

Yes, where appropriate, Halcyon Doctors can provide mental capacity assessments to support Court of Protection applications, including COP3 forms. These reports provide expert opinion on whether a person can make the specific decision relevant to the application.

Yes. A diagnosis of dementia does not automatically mean someone lacks capacity. Capacity is decision-specific and time-specific, so a person may be able to make some decisions but not others. The assessment must consider the individual’s ability in relation to the particular decision being made.

Assessments can often take place at the person’s home, care home, hospital, solicitor’s office or another suitable location in London. The setting should support the person as much as possible and allow the assessment to be carried out fairly and sensitively.

Yes. Retrospective assessments consider whether a person had capacity at a previous point in time, often in relation to a Will, gift, property transaction or legal document. These assessments usually require careful review of medical records, legal papers and other relevant evidence.

The appointment length depends on the complexity of the decision, the person’s needs and the background evidence required. Some assessments are relatively straightforward, while more complex legal or medical matters may require a longer assessment and detailed report.

Contact us

For enquiries or instructions,
please get in touch with us today.

Call Halcyon Doctors on:
0203 7000 163
or email us at:
[email protected]