Court of Protection Services

The specialist Court of Protection team at Pinney Talfourd is led by Matthew Edwards, who is one of only 71 solicitors in the country listed on the Court-Approved List of Panel Deputies. In this role, Matthew regularly accepts deputyship appointments from the Court of Protection that involve complex financial circumstances and family disputes.

He also takes on deputy appointments as a result of requests from families, care homes and social services, and acts as an attorney for clients under registered Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Matthew has a detailed knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Office of the Public Guardian Professional Deputy Standards. As such, he is able to provide both professional and lay deputies with expert knowledge and advice concerning their legal obligations.

In addition to expertise on deputy-related matters, Matthew and his team of lawyers have significant knowledge on applications to the Court of Protection to lead to:

The preparation of a Will on behalf of someone who lacks mental capacity – this is known as a Statutory Will.
A trustee appointment under section 36 or 54 of the Trustee Act 1925 for the purpose of selling a property belonging to someone who lacks mental capacity.
The discharge of an unsuitable deputy or attorney acting under a registered Lasting Power of Attorney who has not acted in the best interests of the person lacking mental capacity – often the reason for discharge is a result of financial abuse having been carried out.
Recovery of assets belonging to someone who lacks mental capacity that have been lost as a result of financial abuse by a previous deputy or attorney
The prior or retrospective approval by the Court of gifts made by a deputy or attorney to a third party on behalf someone who lacks mental capacity
Assisting professional and lay deputies with the preparation of their annual financial accounts, filing with the OPG and dealing with any follow up enquiries that the OPG may raise.