OPG publishes guidance on investigatory limits and alternative remedies
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has published guidance, outlining the circumstances in which it cannot investigate concerns and the alternative courses of action available. The guidance clarifies that the OPG can only investigate concerns relating to individuals appointed to make decisions under a lasting power of attorney, enduring power of attorney, deputyship or guardianship arrangements. It sets out three scenarios where the OPG lacks investigative jurisdiction: (1) where concerns involve individuals who are not attorneys, deputies or guardians; (2) where the donor or protected person is deceased; or (3) where the donor or protected person retains mental capacity to make their own decisions. For each scenario, the guidance directs complainants to alternative remedies, such as contacting local authority social services, the police (via the non-emergency number), or, for estate-related matters, executors of wills or the Probate Service.