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There may come a time when a person cannot manage their own financial affairs or personal welfare and are unable to make significant decisions for themselves.  

It is possible for someone else to do this on their behalf by becoming their Deputy. The role of a Deputy can vary and may include managing property or accommodation and financial affairs through to dealing with personal welfare and medical treatment.

To become a Deputy an application needs to be made to the Court of Protection providing detailed information regarding the circumstances of the person without “capacity”. The court will review their situation and appoint an appropriate Deputy to take responsibility.

Why make an application?

The majority of cases which the Court of Protection (COP) team manage are the result of a child being damaged at birth and receiving compensation for their injuries. However we also make applications for people who are mentally incapable of managing their finances such as those with dementia or an acquired brain injury.

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What is the Court of Protection?

The Court of Protection is a specialist Court which deals with the finances and welfare of people who do not have mental capacity to make those decisions themselves. Once a claim has been settled, we work closely with the medical negligence team to ensure clients are guided and helped through the next stages.

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How can you help me?

We work with people from many different backgrounds. Our cases not only include children but also young adults and the elderly. Some people do not realise they have a claim for negligence until they speak to us and then they find managing a significant award overwhelming. We can help with this.

An award may consist of a lump sum as well as annual income payments. We take financial advice regarding investment and can then either apply to the Court for a Deputy to manage the award for someone who does not have mental capacity or we can apply for a Personal Injury Trust to manage the award if the claimant is physically damaged, but retains mental capacity. This means that in future they may be able to attend annual meetings and meet their financial advisor as well as partake in decisions. It also means that, for a child, they have the choice of continuing or ending their personal injury trust once they attain the age of 18.

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How will the fund be spent?

Money spent is used in a person's best interests and, bearing in mind it is a finite resource, we need to ensure that we cover the spiralling cost of care for life. We get involved with "cash-flow forecasting" so that we can monitor funds and ensure that they are wisely used. However, we also realise that the fund should also be used to help a person enjoy life so we help arrange to pay for holidays and have even helped clients start up their own business. 

We use a holistic and bespoke approach. Each client has different needs, wants and aspirations and we help fulfil these and alleviate some of the worry, pressure and stress on the family thereby allowing them to concentrate on caring for their loved one. We have extensive connections with Accountants, Financial Advisors, Payroll Specialists, Case Managers, Education Solicitors regarding Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs), Surveyors, Architects, and Carers. We bring everyone together to ensure that funds are used in the clients’ best interests.

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How to make an application

Once you have instructed our team to work on your behalf we will make the application to the Court of Protection completing all of the standard forms and advising you throughout.

The court presently charges a £365 application fee and more details on court fees can be found here.

If your application has resulted out of the settlement of a clinical negligence claim then your legal fees and disbursements (Court fees etc.) were most likely to have been included in your claim.

The forms to make an application to the Court of Protection are extensive and if an award is going to be more than £1 million then it is recommended that a professional deputy, such as a solicitor, is appointed otherwise there may be difficulty in obtaining the insurance which has to be in place before the court will grant deputyship.

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What are the next stages?

If a child is physically disabled but likely to understand financial decisions at the age of 18 and manage their award then we can make an application for a Personal Injury Trust to be set up with the parents and a Solicitor as Trustees.

This is so we can manage the funds for the child flexibly and also assist the child in understanding how their money can be managed as they get older. Should mental capacity be retained then we can make an application for a Personal Injury Trust appointing Solicitors and the parents as professional Trustees for their child. Such a Trust is flexible and allows decisions to be made quickly and without further intervention of the Court. However, we are keen for the child to join in Trustee meetings when they get older so that they can partake in their own decisions and understand the workings of the trust, as well as building up a relationship with their professional advisors.

The use of a trust offers flexibility on decisions regarding investments or the purchase of property and all other major decisions can be made without having to make further time-consuming applications to the court.

Having a professional trustee also gives the child an independent person to turn to, should they so wish, and they also act as an officer of the court until the child reaches the age of 18. After the age of 18, the child can choose to continue the trust.

We work closely with the family so as to achieve the best for the child. We understand the concerns families face and offer an approachable and friendly service, always putting everything in plain English.

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Meet your team

James Pantling-Skeet headshot

James Pantling-Skeet

Associate – Legal Executive

Ruth Meyer photo

Ruth Meyer

Partner

Alexander Wright headshot

Alexander Wright

Partner

Anne Pearson headshots

Anne Pearson

Senior Paralegal

Sue Clark photo

Sue Clark

Associate – Solicitor

Lindsay Da Re

Lindsay Da Rè

Associate - Solicitor

Alex Edwards

Alex Edwards

Associate - Solicitor

Dani Pini headshot

Dani Pini

Solicitor

Ellie Adams profile picture

Ellie Adams

Senior Paralegal

Katarina Ahmed

Katarina Ahmed

Paralegal

Daisy Fox

Daisy Fox

Paralegal

Thomas Green photo

Thomas Green

Paralegal

Lauren Hall headshot

Lauren Hall

Paralegal

Maria Hobbs

Maria Hobbs

Paralegal

Nadine Silas-Richards

Nadine Silas-Richards

Paralegal

Victoria Stewart

Victoria Stewart

Paralegal

Niki Tarrant headshot

Niki Tarrant

Senior Paralegal

Emma Wheeldon headshots

Emma Wheeldon

Senior Paralegal

Ewelina Wolanin headshot

Ewelina Wolanin

Paralegal

James Pantling-Skeet headshot
Ruth Meyer photo
Alexander Wright headshot
Anne Pearson headshots
Sue Clark photo
Lindsay Da Re
Alex Edwards
Dani Pini headshot
Ellie Adams profile picture
Katarina Ahmed
Daisy Fox
Thomas Green photo
Lauren Hall headshot
Maria Hobbs
Nadine Silas-Richards
Victoria Stewart
Niki Tarrant headshot
Emma Wheeldon headshots
Ewelina Wolanin headshot

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What our clients say

Our clients constantly recognize us as the most experienced, professional, efficient and supportive

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"Very gratefully received"

I just wanted to thank you not only for your professionalism but also for your compassion and support for Anja and Tom's situation. You have had a profound impact for Anja, giving hope where there was none. I am sure you will say you are just doing your job but the unexpected humanity you have displayed that is not normally received from lawyers has been very gratefully received.

Marcus

"I just wanted to say thank you"

You have taken all our concerns with our previous solicitor away and made us feel completely confident that Ben has the correct deputy in place. So many thanks from us all and you will be highly recommended by all of us for anybody's deputy. Both your self and Anne are so approachable and easy to talk to.

 

Boyes Turner Client

"The biggest thank you "

Just would like to say the biggest thank you to you and Mary, Alexander, Charlotte, Georgie and the rest of the team who helped purchase the house for us! It is our dream house and the little one was so excited yesterday when I told her that we have now got the keys, and she cannot wait until Saturday when we finally move in. She loves the space there and was running around everywhere last night, and loves the fact that we can feed a mum fox and her two Cubs every night. So thankyou !! We really appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts.

Boyes Turner client

"Knowledgeable, organised, responsive, diligent, empathetic and human"

I deal with many legal firms during the course of my work and have found the Court of Protection team at Boyes Turner to be, 'simply the best'. Anne Pearson is the most consistently proficient and pleasant professional to work in partnership with. A clear focus of keeping the client at the centre of the work is always evident. I could not recommend her expertise and attitude more highly.

Heather Miller, Independant Case Management

"Beyond the call of duty "

It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with Anne Pearson, Senior Manager in Boyes Turner Solicitors’ Court of Protection team because she goes far beyond the call of duty to ensure that her vulnerable clients and their families are supported in the most difficult and distressing circumstances. Her professionalism is matched by her sincere care for her clients. Families facing the daunting process of applying to the Court of Protection to obtain Deputyship for a relative who has lost mental capacity could not receive better advice and support.
 

Alison Hesketh, TimeFinders