When our solicitors walk through hospital wards, patients they’ve never represented will say hello and stop them for a chat. “Oh, are you from Bison?” they’ll ask, recognising the familiar professional appearance even if they’ve never met that particular lawyer before.
They’ll ask after other Bison solicitors, mention conversations they’ve had with our team members, and treat our lawyers like familiar, friendly faces in what can be an isolating environment.
This isn’t a coincidence. It’s down to how we work.
Behind every case is a real person with greater problems than we’ve ever faced in our own lives.
That changes how we work. It means every decision we make starts with one question:
What would we want if this were happening to us or someone we love?
If our family member was deprived of their liberty against their wishes, we’d want immediate help, not an appointment next week. That’s why we see new clients within hours, not days, and why we’ll work on urgent cases even before funding is confirmed.
If our loved one was moved between facilities or involved in complex proceedings, we’d want the same trusted solicitor wherever possible, not a handover to a stranger. That’s why we assign you a dedicated solicitor from start to finish. If circumstances ever require a change, we’ll introduce you properly to ensure a smooth transition.
If our family was facing a tribunal hearing or challenging a decision, we’d want every angle explored, every detail scrutinised and every question answered. That’s why we go beyond the paperwork and take a hands-on investigative approach.
Bison Solicitors began in 2014. Since then, we’ve grown from a startup to one of England and Wales’ largest mental health law firms. And we’ve done it without spending a penny on advertising. No marketing campaigns, no glossy brochures, no promotional materials (apart from this website).
Our clients come to us almost exclusively through word of mouth and referrals. Families recommend us to other families. Advocates tell other advocates. Hospital staff suggest us to patients who need help. And professional referrers send us their most complex cases because they know we’ll handle them properly.
This organic growth has taken us from the original vision of our Founder and Director, Donald Tiong, to where we are now with five offices, 75+ fee earners, and hundreds of grateful clients.
When people get the help they genuinely need, they tell others about it. That’s how we’ve built our reputation. Case by case. Client by client. And it’s how we’ve been able to add to our team. One driven lawyer after another.
Like many graduates, he’d started out full of passion, but he faced a system that made it difficult to progress without prior experience. Securing a training contract felt like an uphill battle that often overlooked people’s dedication and potential. Donald’s solution was simple but radical: hire graduates with the right mindset and a genuine willingness to learn. Then train them properly.
No hoops. No red tape. Just an opportunity for those who are hungry.
Every solicitor at Bison has actively chosen this work after seeing what’s really involved. They’ve joined us for unpaid observation weeks, experienced the reality of representing vulnerable clients, and decided this is exactly what they want to do.
When your liberty is at stake or a loved one’s capacity is in issue, you want a solicitor who’s truly committed to their work. That’s all of our lawyers in a nutshell.
We believe your voice and opinions should be at the forefront of any work we do. Whether you’re detained, lack capacity, or feel wronged by a public body, we ensure you’re genuinely listened to and that your views shape how we represent you.
We leave no stone unturned because our clients’ freedom or care is too important for half measures. We focus on the detail, explore grey areas others ignore, and never compromise on doing what’s right for our clients.
Each case is meaningful to us personally. We don’t just see it as another file. We take our clients’ wins and losses to heart, work beyond standard requirements, and continue supporting you until you feel you no longer need our help.
As of May 2025, Bison Solicitors became fully employee-owned through an Employee Ownership Trust. This structure ensures we remain independent, stable, and focused on what matters – delivering excellent legal services for our clients.
It means the people who work directly with you have a genuine stake in getting things right.
What type of work Bison Solicitors do and how can you help me?
We are a specialist law firm working in Mental Health, Court of Protection, Community Care and Public Law.
In Mental Health law, we represent people detained under the Mental Health Act. We represent client’s detained under all detaining sections. We have extensive experience advising on aftercare rights under Section 117. We provide Mental Health Tribunal representation, support with challenging detention, and will attend a varying array of professional meetings.
In the Court of Protection Department, we work with Litigation Friends and the Official Solicitor on matters involving mental capacity assessments, S16 welfare applications, S21A challenges, deprivation of liberty, and other health and welfare disputes.
In addition, we advise and represent clients in Community Care and Public Law cases, including challenges to decisions made by public bodies and access to essential care and support.
We assist individuals, families, and professionals who need clear legal advice, immediate support, or dedicated representation in any of these areas.
Do I qualify for legal aid?
Most of our Mental Health and Court of Protection work is covered by legal aid, and we provide clear guidance through complex processes from the very first conversation. During your initial consultation, we’ll assess your eligibility and explain any contribution requirements upfront. Our priority is ensuring legal support for vulnerable adults is accessible when it’s needed most.
How quickly can you see me?
We respond rapidly because urgent situations require immediate legal support, not waiting weeks for an appointment. We see new clients within 24 hours of any referral, often on the same day, and for genuine emergencies, we can arrange consultations straight away.
What if I’m not sure whether I need a solicitor?
Contact us anyway. We’d much rather provide early reassurance than have you risk missing important rights or deadlines. Our team offers compassionate legal support and person-centred representation, and initial advice is always free so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Do you work outside office hours?
Legal crises do not follow business hours, especially for people in vulnerable situations. For emergencies, we have systems in place to provide urgent legal advice and representation whenever it is needed.
What if I can’t afford a solicitor?
If you don’t qualify for legal aid, we’ll discuss every available option with you, including fixed fees and payment plans where appropriate. We believe in protecting your human rights and ensuring financial barriers never prevent vulnerable people from accessing justice or essential legal support.
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