The wife of a London human rights lawyer who tragically took his own life at the age of 48 has filed a £5 million lawsuit against a psychiatrist, citing claims of negligence, The Times reports.
John Jones, renowned for his work as the head of international law at Doughty Street Chambers, had notably represented defendants involved in alleged war crimes in Sierra Leone at the special court established by the United Nations. He had also recently acted as legal counsel for Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks.
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In 2016, Jones passed away after leaving Nightingale Hospital, a private facility located in north London, where he had been receiving treatment for severe depression. Prior to his admission, he had described himself as spiraling into a state of despair.
Under the care of esteemed psychiatrist Stephen Pereira, Jones was admitted to the hospital. His family had reported that he was in a highly distressed state and posed a danger to himself. They also highlighted difficulties in finding the appropriate medication for his condition.
The family’s legal representation has now initiated legal proceedings in the High Court, alleging that Pereira failed to establish an effective and adequate care plan for Jones. In their argument, they contend that Jones was not beyond treatment and that his tragic suicide was not an inevitable outcome.
Misa Zgonec-Rozej, the widow of John Jones, is suing the psychiatrist for what she claims is negligence. Her lawyers assert that her husband’s life was not beyond saving and that better care could have made a difference.
However, Pereira’s legal team has presented a different perspective to the court. They argue that a comprehensive care program was indeed implemented, but Jones did not respond well to treatment. He was reportedly hesitant to take prescribed medication or participate in group therapy.
Representing Zgonec-Rozej, Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel KC informed the court that the hospital had failed to effectively manage the risk of self-harm due to deficiencies in the care provided by Pereira. She further claimed that Jones had not received proper treatment, therapy, or management during his time at the hospital.
Zgonec-Rozej has also raised concerns about the transfer of her husband’s care to another psychiatrist due to Pereira’s planned vacation immediately after his urgent admission to the hospital.
Jones, who had been a prominent barrister for over a decade, had achieved a degree in politics, philosophy, and economics from Oxford University, despite experiencing a previous mental breakdown at the age of 17.
Mental Health Issues in the Law
The court proceedings will determine the outcome of the lawsuit, shedding light on the allegations of negligence and the circumstances surrounding Jones’s death.
It also highlights the overall issues regarding mental health in the legal profession. The issue has been one that has sparked considerable concern in all jurisdictions.
Mental health issues in the law profession generally are a growing concern.
A UK report indicates that there are particular pressures in the legal profession that bring stress and depression to lawyers.
Studies in the UK, US and elsewhere have shown high rates of stress, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse among law students and lawyers (source: American Bar Association).
This is a challenging area for law firms, with 55 percent of US firms surveyed reporting that “attorney well-being” was the biggest challenge for their firms (source: American Bar Association).
The perception of mental health and substance abuse problems in the legal profession has also worsened, with 63 percent of respondents believing it is worse in the legal profession.
However, awareness is growing, with 45 percent of respondents agreeing that their workplace is a safe environment to raise concerns about mental health and substance abuse (source: Above the Law).
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