Catherine Eassom (formerly Catherine Oakes) is a Director of Hugh Jones Solicitors and of the Hugh Jones Trust Corporation Limited.  She is Head of our Expert Witness team with over 12 years’ experience of Court of Protection and Deputyship work.

In the Legal 500 2025, she has been listed as a 'Leading Associate':

‘Catherine Oakes is an excellent deputyship expert. Catherine's experience of managing personal injury funds means her advice is also pragmatic and based on real world experience, all of which is reflected in the confidence with which she can explain those recommendations which inspires confidence.'

Catherine has an extensive background in working with clients who have suffered catastrophic injury including serious brain injury as a result of personal injury. Catherine has worked with many clients and their families to manage large damage awards to maximise their rehabilitation and quality of life. Catherine is closely involved with the management of damages both pre and post settlement of the litigation. Catherine works closely with her clients, their families, litigation team and Case Manager to set up care and therapy packages, purchase and adapt properties for her clients and ensure that the damages award is used effectively and in her client’s best interest.

Catherine is a specialist solicitor with a great deal of experience in Court of Protection and mental capacity work in which includes: 

• Management of the professional deputyships of a large number of vulnerable people including those who have lost capacity due to catastrophic accidents or birth injury,
• Advising and drafting all types of Court of Protection applications including those for the appointment of a lay or professional deputy, statutory will applications, gift applications and applications for the discharge of a Protected Party 
• Advising and drafting Personal Injury Trusts

Catherine enjoys building professional relationships with clients and their families to ensure she understands their individual needs in order to provide all of the support required of their Deputy/Trustee.

Catherine is a full member of STEP