How is the deputy appointed and what is the court of protection?
A deputy is someone who is appointed by the Court of Protection to handle the day to day running of a person’s finances and property. A deputy may be able to control all a person’s finances, or be appointed on a ‘short order’ to undertake a specific task, eg house purchase, signing a tenancy. The Office of the Public Guardian carries out the administrative functions of the Court of Protection, which protects and administers the property and financial affairs of persons who are incapable of managing and administering their property and affairs by reason of mental disorder. The Court of Protection prefers a close family member to act as a deputy as they are far more likely to have the person’s best interest at heart. However, anybody can be considered by the Court of Protection to be appointed as deputyr. They may be a relative, friend, neighbour or professional representative, such as a solicitor, accountant, Local Authority officer. The person making the application may seek their own
