PRIVATE CLIENT

Deputyship & Court of Protection Services

Specialist Support for Managing Affairs on Behalf of Loved Ones.

When a loved one loses the ability to make important decisions due to mental incapacity, it can be challenging to navigate the legal requirements to protect their best interests. The Court of Protection team at Coole Bevis provides expert guidance in Court of Protection matters in relation to property and financial affairs, supporting clients across Sussex and beyond with compassion and care.

Making an application to the Court of Protection to appoint a Deputy would enable the Deputy to manage the property and financial affairs of the person who has been assessed as lacking capacity. Whether you need help applying to become a deputy, need someone to act as deputy for your loved one or you need advice regarding your existing deputyship responsibilities, our experienced team are here to guide you every step of the way.

Our Services Include:

Deputyship Applications – Helping clients apply for the authority to manage affairs for loved ones.
Court of Protection Orders – Assisting with applications for specific court orders to make crucial decisions in the best interests of the incapacitated person.
Ongoing Deputyship Support – Providing continued assistance to deputies in managing financial affairs, including reporting duties and compliance with legal requirements.
Professional Deputy Services – Acting as a professional deputy when family members or friends are unavailable or unable to take on the role.

Our Court of Protection team assist appointed deputies for a variety of vulnerable clients including:

Elderly clients suffering from memory loss, confusion or dementia
Clients with a learning disability
Clients that have a serious brain injury or illness
Clients with mental health problems
Clients who are vulnerable to financial abuse

“Coole Bevis have for some years fulfilled the professional joint Deputyship role in managing the financial affairs of my cousin Richard. They have entirely supported me in this sometimes difficult and enduring task for which I am so grateful.”

Recommended Lawyers

The Court of Protection team at Coole Bevis, headed by Partner Teresa Pender-Stratford is highly regarded for their expertise and dedication in supporting clients through complex matters, providing peace of mind and a high-quality service.

Partner Jennifer Murphy, is on the Panel of Deputies maintained by the Court and accepts cases directly from the Court when there is no other suitable person able to act. Panel Deputies undergo a stringent application process, Jennifer has been on the Panel since its inception and as such Jennifer acts as Deputy for a very large number of clients.

Court of Protection Pricing

Open pricing

Close pricing

We are proud that our Court of Protection team is a truly specialist team headed by Partner, Teresa Pender-Stratford. Within the department we have a Panel Deputy, Partner Jennifer Murphy.

We deal with many applications to the Court of Protection for a Deputy to be appointed to manage the property and financial affairs for someone who now unfortunately lacks capacity.

Jennifer Murphy is currently acting as Deputy for a very large number of clients with their affairs greatly differing in complexity.

We are also able to offer services to appointed Deputies to provide support and advice when required and to assist with the preparation and filing of their annual deputyship accounts.

Charging Rates set by the Solicitors’ guideline hourly rates:

Grade A – £288.00 per hour – solicitors and legal executives with over 8 years’ experience
Grade B – £242.00 per hour – solicitors and legal executives with over 4 years’ experience
Grade C – £197.00 per hour – other solicitors or legal executives or fee earners of equivalent experience
Grade D – £139.00 per hour – trainee solicitors, paralegals and other fee earners

All fees are subject to VAT, which is currently payable at the rate of 20%.

There are circumstances, depending on the level of work undertaken in respect of a matter, the complexity of that work and also the value of assets involved, when we may accept fixed fees for work in lieu of assessed costs.

Fixed fees are set by the Court at the following rates:

Work up to the date of Deputyship Order £1,204 plus VAT @ 20%
General administration for the first year of Deputyship from date of Order £2,116 plus VAT @ 20%
General administration for second and subsequent years £1,672 plus VAT @ 20%
Preparation and filing of Annual Report £336 plus VAT @ 20%

Please note you will be provided with more personalised advice regarding costs at your initial meeting.

Contact us

If you need assistance with Court of Protection matters, please contact our Court of Protection Team.

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