Court of Protection

Where an individual loses the capacity to make decisions relating to their finances, property, or personal welfare, and no Lasting Power of Attorney is in place, a close family member, friend, or professional adviser may apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order to act on their behalf.

The Court of Protection has the authority to appoint a Deputy and grant a Deputyship Order, enabling the appointed individual to make decisions concerning financial affairs and, where appropriate, welfare matters in the best interests of the person who lacks capacity.

In addition to supporting family members through the application process, our firm can act as a professional Deputy where appropriate. This allows you to hand over the full responsibility for managing the application and the ongoing administration of the Deputyship to us. Acting as Deputy, we ensure decisions are made in compliance with the law, transparently, and in the individual’s best interests, providing reassurance and reducing the practical and administrative burden on family members.

Benefits of Our Court of Protection Deputyship Service

Professional expertise - Experienced legal oversight ensures decisions are made correctly and in accordance with the law.
Reduced burden on family members - Relieves relatives from complex, time-consuming, and emotionally demanding responsibilities.
Full management of the process - We handle the application, court correspondence, and ongoing administration from start to finish.
Impartial decision-making - Decisions are made objectively and in the individual’s best interests.
Regulatory compliance - Ensures all duties, reporting obligations, and financial controls are met.
Continuity and stability - Provides long-term, consistent management of financial and welfare matters.
Transparency and accountability - Clear records, reporting, and professional standards give reassurance to all involved.
Peace of mind - Confidence that affairs are being managed responsibly, securely, and professionally.

Most of our services are provided on a fixed-fee basis to keep prices as simple as possible. For non-fixed-fee work, we charge based on the time spent on your matter in accordance with our hourly rates applicable at the time. Depending on the service you select, your case will be managed by our solicitors, case managers, and paralegals and supported by our administrators. Each case is allocated to the most appropriate team member, all of whom have many years of experience. From the outset, it will be made clear who your primary contact will be.

All appointments can be sat via telephone or virtually to suit you. We offer services in multiple languages, including Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu. If you have hearing loss or a speech impediment, we are happy to take instructions via Relay UK. We welcome all customers and will do our best to accommodate any additional needs you may have.

Stated time frames are based on our receiving full, clear and substantiated instructions. Delays may occur if we need to clarify or review the information we have been given.

Our Services and Fees

Court of Protection (Plus Disbursements) £3,600 (£3,000 + £600 VAT)

We will apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order on behalf of the family and in favour of their chosen Deputy. Once we have collected all documentation and received full instructions, we will prepare the application to the Courts. This includes arranging medical assessments and issuing notices to the relevant people.

The key stages of a Court of Protection Deputyship and the work we will undertake on your behalf:

Assess capacity and need for a Deputyship – 1–2 weeks
Decide the type of Deputyship required – 1–2 days
Gather medical evidence and financial information – 2–4 weeks
Prepare and submit the application to the Court of Protection – 1–2 weeks
Notify relevant parties of the application – 2–3 weeks (statutory notice period)
Respond to any court queries or directions – Variable (1–4 weeks if required)
Obtain the Deputyship Order – 3–6 months from application
Arrange the required security bond – 1–2 weeks
Register the Deputyship and notify institutions – 2–4 weeks
Ongoing management, reporting, and compliance – Ongoing

Typical total time frame to appointment: approximately 4–6 months, depending on court processing times and case complexity.

Example Fees

Legal Fees £3,600 (£3,000 + £600 VAT)

There will be other third-party costs in addition to the above. The disbursements are as follows:

Court application fee: £421
Capacity assessment fees: usually charged by the medical professional and often £600 (£500 + £100 VAT for basic reports.
Annual Office of the Public Guardian supervision fees (paid annually).
- £320 for general supervision – the standard annual charge for most Deputyships.
- £35 for minimal supervision – a reduced annual charge that may apply where a property and financial affairs Deputyship involves assets of less than £21,000.
- These fees are payable each year on 31 March for the previous year’s supervision.
Security bond premiums (if required), set by insurers (not Court/specialist).
- Lower-value estates: from approximately £150 per year.
- Moderate-value estates: around £300 per year.
- Higher-value estates: premiums can exceed £500+ per year.
- Premiums generally correlate with the total bond value required by the Court (higher bond values lead to higher premiums).

TOTAL EXAMPLE COST

Based on a average sized estate of £275,000
= £5,241 (£4,541 + £700 VAT)

Professional Deputy Services Year 1 £2,539.20 (£2,116 + £423.20 VAT), Year 2+ £2,006.40 (£1,672 + £334.40 VAT)

We can act as a professional Deputy when no family member is available or able to take on the role, providing expert management of financial and welfare matters on behalf of the individual. Please inquire for further information.

Key responsibilities over the course of one year:

Managing finances – overseeing bank accounts, paying bills, and managing investments (ongoing, daily to monthly tasks)
Property and asset management – maintaining and protecting property, arranging insurance or rent collection (ongoing, reviewed quarterly or as needed)
Health and welfare decision – making care, treatment, or living arrangement decisions if authorised (as required, in line with care requirements)
Court reporting and compliance – preparing and submitting annual accounts and reports to the Court of Protection (annually, with additional reports if requested)
Acting in the person’s best interests – safeguarding assets and ensuring decisions respect the individual’s preferences (continuous, throughout the Deputyship)

Professional deputies provide expert, independent management, giving families peace of mind and continuity when loved ones are unable to manage their affairs themselves. We will detail the stages and timescale prior to any work being started.

Example Fees

Legal Fees Year 1: £2.539.20 (£2,116 + £423.20 VAT)
Subsequent years: £2.006.40 (£1,672 + £334.40)

These figures are fixed by the Courts in accordance with Practice Direction 19B for professional deputies. Should the scope of our work exceed these amounts, we are entitled to request a detailed assessment of costs, and the fee may be increased by the Courts.