Court of Protection Deputy

Our role is all encompassing and will involve most, if not all, of the following for each individual:

• Managing long-term investment of funds;
• Purchasing and specialist adaptation of properties;
• Employing a full team of care staff;
• Appointing and maintaining an ongoing relationship with a suitable, experienced case manager as well as other therapists;
• Dealing with any Court of Protection applications which need to be made on a wide range of issues, including health and welfare issues where required;
• Dealing with funding issues that arise, for example, NHS Continuing Health Care and Local Authority funding;
• Purchasing specialist vehicles and ensuring these are insured, taxed and maintained where necessary;
• Purchasing specialist equipment on the advice of the case manager/therapists and ensure this equipment is regularly maintained;
• Ensuring a will is in place, including a statutory will if required;
• Carrying out an investigation into the financial position of a client where required;
• Managing various insurance policies (home, car, employment, pet etc);
• Managing and ensuring the client is in receipt of the correct benefits;
• Agreeing and managing allowances to the client;
• Managing requests for funds;
• Managing utility payments;
• Ensuring correct benefits are received;
• Managing periodical payments and ensuring they are appropriately indexed;
• Arranging necessary assessments of capacity;
• Ensuring the completion of tax returns; and
• Completing annual reports to the OPG.

This is not an exhaustive list, as every client’s needs are different. We are happy to discuss any queries which you may have regarding our experience.

• Our approach is unique. Our team is multi-faceted including not only legal experts but experts in social care and accountancy, allowing us to consider our client's best interests taking into account much more than just the legal point of view.
• The team has a nationwide reputation for its deputyship work covering the whole of the UK with offices in Cardiff and London.
• The team is recommended nationally by independent directories, Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for their court of protection work with Hugh James being noted to field a team of ‘exceptional and approachable lawyers’ that includes Andrew Harding, who ‘takes a real interest in all of his clients’.
• The team currently manages the affairs of over 130 individuals with total assets, to include property and large investment portfolios, exceeding £150 million.
• Andrew Harding is particularly highly regarded in this field having first been appointed as a receiver nearly 20 years ago.
• Andrew is currently a member of the Court of Protection Court Users Group in London and is also a member of COPPA. Andrew was a member of the Court of Protection Deputies Forum which provided input leading to the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. He is a Board Member of Headway.
• The Brain Injury team at Hugh James is approved as brain injury solicitor by Headway UK, the Child Brain Injury Trust, and the Brain Injury group.