10 June 2010
18/10
The Court of Protection today published its first report. It was set up in October 2007 and the report covers the 27 months to the end of 2009.
The Court of Protection is a specialist court created under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It is responsible for making decisions for people who lack the capacity to do this for themselves, and also for appointing deputies to act on their behalves. These decisions may relate to their property, financial affairs, health, and personal welfare.
In his introduction, the Senior Judge of the Court of Protection, Denzil Lush, summarises the first two years by saying that it has not been plain sailing.
The judge says: ”….there have, nonetheless, been some significant achievements following the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act. These include the expansion of the court so nominated judges can hear cases in the regions; the successful ‘transition’ of 7,000 Mental Health Act receiverships into deputyships; the implementation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards; and the integration of the court into HMCS.”
The report describes the wide variety of work undertaken by the court and includes a summary of the reported decisions of the past two years.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The full annual report is available on the judicial website
