Blog
Rayner my parade! The importance of specialist advice.
Jemma Brimblecombe
7 April 2016
The death of a child without a will — is it time to change the law?
As a Court of Protection practitioner acting for many clients with catastrophic injuries it is a sad but unavoidable fact that I will occasionally receive a call advising me of the unexpected death of a client. When this has happened it affects me deeply, particularly when it involves a child, so I can only imagine what my client’s family is going through. I like to develop strong relationships with my clients based not just on our professional dealings but also in a personal capacity. The decisions I take can have a significant impact on their lives and I believe it makes me a better lawyer if I take the time to know my client on a personal level. As a result, you feel more keenly the loss of a client you have come to know well over a long period of time.
A slightly amended version of this blog appeared on The Times in April 2016.
1 April 2016
Court of Protection - challenges and tips for Deputies when buying a property abroad
As a professional Deputy acting for clients with large awards of compensation, either because of medical negligence or personal injury, the purchase of property is an issue I deal with frequently. In most cases, the order appointing a Deputy restricts the authority to buy or sell property without first obtaining the permission of the Court.
In this blog, Simon Hardy looks at the challenges and tips for Deputies when buying a property overseas.
16 March 2016
Wills, gifts and inheritance tax planning for Attorneys and Deputies
The ability to make a Will and make gifts to loved ones is something most of us take for granted. One of the most common reasons for doing these things is to reduce the Inheritance Tax (IHT) payable on our death.
9 February 2016
The ‘secretive’ Court of Protection opens up to media under transparency pilot
Did I hear you say ‘Secret Court’? Not any more as the Court of Protection will now be ‘Open Court’, or at least it is between 29 January and 31 July 2016 for the duration of a transparency pilot. Over recent years, particularly from certain sections of the media, the Court has received regular criticism over its lack of transparency and the making of important decisions behind closed doors. This is why it has been referred to as a ‘Secret Court’.
22 July 2015
New standards announced for professional and local authority deputies
On 6 July 2015 the Office of the Public Guardian (“OPG”) issued standards of conduct for professional and local authority deputies. The intention to introduce these standards was announced in a report issued by the OPG to Parliament in December 2014 with the aim of setting out what good practice should look like in order to promote good behaviour. This is part of a wider initiative to improve the supervision of court appointed deputies.