Deputies—appointment, duties and powers

Choosing the deputy

Any person may make a first application for the appointment of a deputy, although in practice most applications are made by (or on behalf of) a close relative. If there is no such person able or willing to make the application then the application may be made by a concerned friend, a solicitor or local authority. There is no requirement for permission so long as the application pertains to P's property and affairs.

The appointment of a deputy is made by the Court of Protection (the court) acting in its discretion, and no person has an automatic right to be appointed in priority to another. The court must consider the choice of deputy carefully having regard to the best interests of P. In practice, a deputy should be someone who:

•
has the right level of skill and competence, and
•
has a close personal connection to P

The court may appoint two or more deputies and they may be appointed jointly, jointly and severally, or jointly in respect of some matters and jointly and severally in respect of other matters.

Where there

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