Lee Evans |

Kate Tyrrell – Managing Director

Kate qualified as a Solicitor in 2014, having specialised in mental health law since 2010. She has been an accredited member of The Law Society’s Mental Health Panel since 2012.

Her expertise encompasses all aspects of mental health law, and she frequently represents nearest relatives and family members, as well as those detained across all levels of security. Kate also possesses extensive experience in handling s.117 after-care disputes and displacement proceedings.

In addition to her legal practice, Kate serves as a Legal Aid Agency Peer Reviewer for Mental Health and in November 2024, Kate was appointed as an Independent Costs Assessor for the Legal Aid Agency.

Kate has been an active member of the Mental Health Lawyers Association since 2014. She previously served as Chair from 2018 to 2021.

In 2025, Kate acquired Tyrrell & Gill Solicitors (formerly Gledhill Gill Solicitors).

Lisa Vaughan – Consultant Solicitor

Lisa qualified as a solicitor in 2000 after returning to tertiary education as a mature student and has represented detained patients since 2002.

She gained accreditation to the Law Society Mental Health Panel in 2004 and is also a member of the Mental Health Lawyers Association (MHLA).

She has extensive expertise across all areas of mental health law, representing clients at Mental Health Tribunals and Hospital Managers’ Hearings under both civil and forensic sections. Her practice spans low, medium, and high-secure hospitals, and she also advises clients discharged into the community; those seeking after-care and treatment and those applying for absolute discharge.

Lisa is a confident, experienced and passionate advocate for her clients, who prides herself on active listening and an unwavering respect for every individual’s perspective.

Before specialising in mental health law, Lisa practised in public and private family law, education law, personal injury, and criminal law. Prior to qualifying, she held NHS management roles negotiating placements for vulnerable adults, assisting GPs with budgets, and arranging service provisions with healthcare providers. Early in her career, she spent six years working for a non-profit organisation in Germany.

Lisa holds a Master’s degree in International Law and is available to represent clients across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Northamptonshire, Surrey, and Sussex.

Sam Polson – Senior Consultant Solicitor

Sam is an experienced solicitor, admitted in 2001, and has been a member of the Law Society’s Mental Health Panel since 1999.

He represents clients at Mental Health Tribunals and Hospital Managers’ Hearings, including both civil and forensic patients detained in low, medium, and high secure hospitals. Sam also acts for individuals discharged into the community, including those seeking after-care and absolute discharge.

Sam has been involved in a number of reported cases which have influenced the development of mental health case law, including R (on the application of B) v Camden LBC [2005] EWHC and Robinson v London Borough of Waltham Forest CO/9360/2005.

He is available to represent clients across London, Essex, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Sussex, and Kent, and is a member of the Mental Health Lawyers Association (MHLA).

Tam Gill – Senior Consultant Solicitor

Tam Gill led Gledhill Gill Solicitors from 2009 until 2024. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2004 specialising in mental health law with a particular focus on complex forensic cases. Tam has been an accredited member of the Law Society Mental Health Panel since 2004.

In 2021 Tam was appointed as a Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Mental Health) and continues to represent clients alongside her judicial role. Since 2019 she has been ranked at Band 1 in Chambers UK, and in 2024 she was awarded Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year – Disability Rights, for her high-quality and tireless representation of clients.

Colleagues and professionals regularly seek Tam’s guidance, advice, and assistance. She develops and delivers legal training to fellow legal professionals, qualified doctors, specialist nurses and social workers, offering seminars and workshops on mental health law and practice, particularly in relation to restricted work, case preparation, and Tribunal evidence and advocacy. This includes s12 and AC training for psychiatrists. Tam also serves as a visiting lecturer at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (University of Sussex).

In 2020 Tam was elected President of the Mental Health Lawyers Association and has been an active committee member for many years. She served as Chair of the Association from 2016 to 2018. Additionally, Tam has been a Law Society assessor for the Mental Health Accreditation Scheme since 2012. Her previous roles include LAA Independent Costs Adjudicator, LAA Peer Reviewer for Mental Health, and Mental Health Act Commissioner for the Care Quality Commission (CQC).