About Us

Asha Beswetherick

With over 20 years of experience in the legal profession, Asha has built up a wealth of knowledge as a specialist in the Court of Protection.  She has a particular focus on supporting clients who have lost capacity following a traumatic event.  She understands the significant challenges a complex brain injury can have on the entire family and appreciates the need to ensure both her clients, and their families are supported through what can often be a challenging time with both complex and lengthy injury claims and also with the Court of Protection.

Asha has a superb ability to build strong relationships based on mutual trust and understanding.  She takes the time to work with her clients and their families to ensure she is well placed to support them to have a voice and to achieve the best outcomes – ensuring her clients remain at the centre of all decisions.  Her compassion and empathy mean she has a passion to discover solutions that work with the needs of each individual client.

Asha is widely considered to be an expert in this field.  She serves on the committee for the Professional Deputies Forum working hard to support the professional Deputy community with training and education, developing relationships with various stakeholders including the Court of Protection and continually driving to develop and maintain standards of excellence.

Asha is regularly asked to speak at conferences and webinars including the Law Society, Estate Research and to provide training to case managers. 

Asha’s experience with cases include supporting several young clients achieve lifelong accommodation suitable for their needs through adaptations and build projects. Asha acts for a young girl who was injured in a road traffic accident aged 3, working closely with her family and carers to empower her cultural beliefs, wishes and feelings where she cannot always voice them herself.

In her spare time between being a busy mum of two, Asha enjoys spending time going for coastal walks with her family and dog, Ralphie and exploring hidden gems on the south-west coast.

• Recognised as an Associate to Watch in Chambers & Partners in 2024
• Ranked in Chambers & Partners since 2024

Stacey Bryant

Stacey is a highly experienced lawyer with over 35 years of experience in her field. Court of Protection work is her passion and Stacey will always work tirelessly to put client’s best interests first and foremost. 

Stacey previously headed up a large Court of Protection team of over 35 people and has acted as Deputy for many clients with a wide variety of complex needs. Stacey’s aptitude to finding a creative solution to what may seem like an impossible situation makes her stand out to her clients and all that work with her.

Stacey was appointed as financial Deputy for a young client (P) who has complex needs arising from a brain injury sustained in a road traffic accident as a child.  She was highly vulnerable and had been subject to grooming type behaviours.  Stacey identified the need for comprehensive capacity assessments to be undertaken in several domains including care, residence, social media and relations with others.  Challenges were experienced in these issues being addressed promptly by statutory services resulting in Stacey issuing an application in the Court of Protection.  The end result was a detailed set of capacity assessments forming the basis of a comprehensive and person-centred care plan.  Ultimately, this meant P was able to access the support she required, and it provided for appropriate reviews to ensure it recognised the necessity for adjustments as P matured and her needs changed.  The litigation team subsequently secured a settlement in P’s compensation claim resulting in an award of over £27m meaning there are sufficient funds to support P with the care and therapy she needs over her lifetime.

Straightforward yet compassionate in her approach, Stacey excels to navigate strategies and decisions whilst collaborating with clients and their multi-disciplinary teams to ensure their interests are empowered.

Stacey is regularly instructed to provide expert evidence on Court of Protection matters.

She volunteers as a member of BABCIM Council, offering her expertise to the community of case managers. Stacey is also regularly asked to speak at conferences and webinars relating to Deputyship and Mental Capacity matters.

Stacey is the current Chair and a Director of the Professional Deputy Forum (PDF). Stacey has been instrumental during her time as Chair in leading the direction of the profession by working with the PDF committee to ensure members are well informed of recent case law developments. Stacey also supported a sub committee in launching the first ever accreditation scheme for Court of Protection lawyers specialising in Court of Protection work.  This scheme is aimed at promoting the provision of specialist Court of Protection services and supporting the next generation of lawyers to receive the training and education they need to best support their clients.

Devon born and bred, Stacey enjoys her time walking on the coast with her family and will always enter into a debate on whether it is “jam or cream first”!

• Named as a Notable Practitioner since 2022 in Chambers & Partners
• Named as a Leading Partner in Legal 500

Bethan Phillips

Bethan has been working with court of protection clients for over 12 years now and has built up a wide knowledge of the practice area in that time.

Bethan specialises in Deputyships for both children and adults with mild to complex brain injuries as a result of birth injury or traumatic incident.

Bethan prides herself on a person centred holistic approach, focusing on the individual's specific needs and thinking outside of the box to find ways to ensure clients are living life to the fullest while also protecting their finances for long terms needs. Every client and family are different and deserve to have their unique needs and preferences considered and a collaborative approach between all supporting professionals is a must.

Her experience spans significant property purchases and adaptations to ensure a practical home for the clients, their families and care teams as well as recruitment of care teams or instruction of agency care. Additionally gratuitous care applications for family members, complex statutory will applications and long term budgeting exercises.

As well as managing Deputyships she also has experience of creating personal injury trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney for clients with capacity to do so.

Before joining Apricity, Bethan trained and worked at a large multi practice south west law firm and more recently led the Plymouth Court of Protection team of 12 legal professionals.

She has built up a great network of experts who are able to support clients as needed through all of life's changes and hurdles.

Plymouth born and bred Bethan loves being outdoors, by the sea and on Dartmoor. Her family have had to embrace the need to be outside as much as possible exploring new places and enjoying the south west to the fullest.

Ruth Yates

Ruth qualified as a chartered accountant with a Big Four firm before working in the City for 20 years with roles in HR consultancy, Human Resources and Reward.

Since moving to Devon in 2016, Ruth was involved in care and support for her elderly parents and has worked as Finance Manager for a case management company.  Both at and outside work, Ruth has seen the importance to individuals of good financial organisation, diligence and planning.

Ruth brings a breadth of personal and professional experience to her role at Apricity Law that makes a positive and empathetic contribution to clients.

In her spare time, Ruth enjoys spending time with her family, theatre trips and wild swimming.

Sam Wilson

Sam Wilson is a court of protection executive experienced in dealing with vulnerable clients and their finances.

Sam also has previous experience of working in property & lettings bringing a valuable skillset to Property & Affairs deputyship clients. He has a friendly yet efficient manner, working well with others and within our team at Apricity.

In his spare time, Sam can be found running a local youth group, teaching dance, and treading boards, singing, dancing and acting, with many local theatre groups including PGS Theatre Productions where he is the Vice-Chairman.