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Court of Protection

The team at Dean Wilson LLP are passionate and committed to providing outstanding services and advice in relation to Court of Protection matters. Our highly regarded, experienced team specialises in matters relating to the Court of Protection, ensuring that our clients receive the highest level of expertise, empathy, and support.

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Recognising the uniqueness of every client's life and case, we invest time in listening to understand individual needs. This enables us to customise our strategies and solutions, aiming for the optimal outcome for you and your loved ones. 

Navigating Court of Protection matters can be emotionally taxing, and our dedicated team is devoted to delivering compassionate and supportive legal assistance. With care and empathy, we guide you through the process, prioritising your best interests. 

Our commitment extends to finding practical and cost-effective solutions aligned with your specific circumstances and aspirations, ensuring that you receive the tailored support needed during these challenging situations.

Court of Protection Services

The Court of Protection plays a vital role in safeguarding the rights and well-being of individuals who lack the mental capacity to make important decisions for themselves. Including vulnerable individuals, those with learning disabilities, and individuals who have lost capacity due to an accident or illness.

The team fully appreciate the complexities and sensitivities involved in Court of Protection cases. With our knowledge and extensive experience in this area of law, we are well placed to handle a broad range of matters, including:

  • Professional Deputyships: We act as professional deputies for adults and children with personal or medical injury claims who receive compensation. Our team are experienced in managing large capital sums and periodical payments, in the best interests of their clients. 
  • Deputyship Applications: We assist clients in applying for deputyship orders to act as decision-makers for individuals who lack capacity. Our team will guide you through the process, ensuring that your loved one's best interests are protected.
  • Court of Protection Advice: Providing ongoing advice to existing lay deputies to help them manage their role, responsibilities, and any complex issues that may arise. 
  • Deputyships for the Elderly: We act as professional deputies for the elderly who are no longer able to manage their own property and financial affairs. 
  • Personal Injury Trusts: We set up and advise on Personal Injury Trusts for those who have received compensation and have the capacity to manage these funds but wish to safeguard their compensation from tax and benefit issues. We can also act as Professional Trustees to provide a reliable and experienced lead on managing large capital sums and periodical payments. 
  • Lasting Powers of Attorney: We provide support and expert advice to prepare Lasting Powers of Attorney, allowing you to appoint trusted individuals to make decisions on your behalf in the event that you lose capacity in the future.
  • Best Interest Decision-Making: Our team provides comprehensive advice on making decisions in an individual's best interests, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and ethical considerations.

If you require expert legal assistance in matters related to the Court of Protection, do not hesitate to get in touch with our knowledgeable team at Dean Wilson LLP.

Your Court of Protection experts

Get to know those who are here to help you

frances pierce dean wilson

Frances Pierce

Partner, Deputy, Professional Trustee and Mediator

frances pierce dean wilson

Frances Pierce

Partner, Deputy, Professional Trustee and Mediator

Areas of Specialism

Court of Protection Deputy and Professional Trustee, Catastrophic Personal and Medical Injury Litigation and CEDR accredited Mediator. Frances has a passion for making a difference to lives and has dedicated her whole career to helping clients and their families who suffer from life changing injuries including birth injury, acquired brain injury, spinal, amputees and those with PTSD following serious accidents and traumatic life events. She is a formidable litigator and advocate, and often calls upon her mediation skills to assist her clients and team members with disputes and issues.

Frances has acted in several high profile cases in her career including:

  • XVW & YZA v Gravesend Grammar Schools for Girls & Adventure Life Signs Ltd [2012] (Vicarious Liability in a Civil Rape claim)
  • Jenkins v Young Brothers Transport Ltd [2006] (assignment of Conditional Fee Agreements)
  • AA (Protected Party) v BB and another (2013) (Quasi-Deputyship costs and "stop start" PPO awards)

Many catastrophic personal injury and medical negligence litigation solicitors and Deputies nationally, trust her and seek her advice and support with their vulnerable clients.

  • Professional Deputy managing £540 million of assets on behalf of vulnerable clients.
  • Personal Injury Trust management
  • Specialist in overseeing rehabilitation and building care teams, property purchase and adaptations.
  • Professional Deputy Expert Witness Statements

Recent Client Matters

  • Acting as a Professional Trustee for a young woman during and following a multi-million-pound settlement. Frances has supported the purchase of a ‘forever home’ and is currently adapting this with the assistance of specialist teams. Frances is working closely with the beneficiary of the Trust to ensure she is supported, protected, consulted, and can maximise her independence.
  • Frances has been appointed by another firm as Financial Deputy for a young boy they represent in medical injury litigation. Frances has provided detailed robust expert evidence which has enabled significant damages to be recovered for Deputyship costs for the client’s lifetime. Frances is managing the multi-million-pound interim payment and will manage the final award to benefit the client including adapting his home to accommodate carers, a hydro pool, finding and working with his multidisciplinary rehabilitation team, employing a case manager, carers, managing investments, budgeting and ensuring an excellent quality of life for him.
  • Frances was chosen as the “go to” Deputy for a solicitor in another firm who was retiring from Deputyship work. She has been trusted to take on all the deputyship work and every client has been happy with the transition. Frances and the dedicated team are skilled in managing changes for severely damaged clients.

Qualifications

  • Fellow” of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (“APIL”) 1996 - date
  • Member of the Forum of Complex Injury Solicitors (“FOCIS”) 2013- date
  • Member of the Professional Deputies Forum
  • Kent Law Society (Member 1990 – date) Honorary Secretary (2003- 2010), President (2011-2012) TWDLS President (2010-2011).
  • Ranked Band 1 Chambers and Partners – Personal injury - recognised as a leader nationally.

Frances can be contacted by email: FVP@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249207. 

Pierce, Frances

Beth Luckett Dean Wilson

Beth Luckett

Executive, Court of Protection

Beth Luckett Dean Wilson

Beth Luckett

Executive, Court of Protection

Areas of Specialism

Beth is a Legal Executive in the Court of Protection team, having built upon her background in Mental Health Law before joining the team in 2018. Beth is meticulous, empathetic and professional in all aspects of her role, making her invaluable in the team.  

Beth has experience with the following:

  • Lay Deputyships for Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare matters
  • The management of client’s property and assets
  • Complex Budgets
  • Collaborative support to Litigation Solicitors

Recent Client Matters

  • Beth provided collaborative support and information sharing to litigation solicitors to evidence the expenditure and losses experienced by a young client for his multi-million pound settlement.
  • Beth has offered expert guidance to parents who wished to be lay deputies for their child. Beth drafted complex applications for both Health & Welfare and Property & Financial Affairs and secured the required Court Orders to allow the parents to best support their child
  • Beth works alongside the Trustees for a young woman following a multi-million-pound settlement. Beth has aided the purchase of a ‘forever home’ through the Personal Injury Trust and is facilitating the adaption alongside specialist architects. 

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Member of the Professional Deputyship Forum
  • Dementia Friend

Beth can be contacted by email: BL@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: (0) 1273 249235. 

georgia kennard dean wilson

Georgia Kennard

Executive, Court of Protection

georgia kennard dean wilson

Georgia Kennard

Executive, Court of Protection

Areas of Specialism

Georgia is a Legal Executive in the Court of Protection Team. Since joining the team in 2018, Georgia is an emerging talent, rapidly establishing herself as a highly capable practitioner in high‑value and complex deputyship work. Her strong analytical skills, proactive approach, and natural ability to connect with clients and professionals alike have already made her an invaluable member of the department.

Georgia has experience with the following:

  • Lay Deputyship for Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare matters
  • The management of client’s property and assets
  • Coordinating with benefits agencies
  • Complex Budgets and cashflow planning
  • Collaborative support with Litigation Solicitors and Multi-Disciplinary Teams

Recent Client Matters

  • Georgia has facilitated the support of a client with complex substance abuse issues. Georgia has provided consistent, reassuring support to the client and has overseen the input of a new multi-disciplinary team purpose built to support the client in their recovery.
  • Georgia works alongside the deputy for an elderly gentleman with Dementia. Georgia has arranged for his property to be maintained, equipment to be installed, and for social activities to be re-introduced into his life.
  • Georgia has provided thorough support for a vulnerable adult who is transitioning from a Care facility into private accommodation. Georgia has worked with the professionals involved to ensure that the private accommodation is prepared and suitable for the move. 
  • Georgia played a pivotal role in a significant deputyship for a minor with complex cerebral palsy. She oversaw the procurement of highly specialised equipment tailored to the child’s evolving needs, ensuring compatibility with both clinical recommendations and the family’s home environment.
  • Georgia successfully applied to the Court for Family Care Payments, securing long‑overdue funding for a family, following a previous rejected application and a two-year process.

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Member of the Professional Deputyship Forum
  • Dementia Friend

Georgia can be contacted by email: gk@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 032316. 

Katie B

Katie Barnes

Paralegal, Court of Protection 

Katie B

Katie Barnes

Paralegal, Court of Protection 

Katie is a Paralegal in our Court of Protection Team with a focus on supporting clients with acquired brain injury to manage their finances. Assisting client's with anything from paying a dog-walker to buying a house, arranging insurance to applying for benefits. Since joining the team in 2023, Katie has become a reassuring and trusted presence for clients and their wider team, offering consistent support and confidence in all matters. 

Katie has experience with the following:

  • Deputyships for Property & Financial Affairs
  • Liaison with the Court of Protection and Senior Court Costs Office
  • Management of client assets and finances
  • Deputyship Applications
  • Complex property adaptations

Recent Client Matters

  • Katie has worked on building the projects of bespoke homes, specially adapted for adolescent clients with complex physical and domestic needs. These properties represent build costs in excess of £3.6m.
  • Katie collaborated with Litigation Solicitors to evidence expenditure and losses in a minor’s multi‑million-pound settlement, while providing ongoing support to the family throughout.

Membership 

  • Member of Professional Deputies Forum

"Sophie is extremely knowledgeable and shows great commitment to ensuring her clients' needs are achieved at all times. She is very efficient and a pleasure to deal with."

Chambers & Partner 2024
Court of Protection - Property & Affairs UK Wide

"Frances holds extensive knowledge of each client she works with and builds a very trusting relationship with the clients which enables her to facilitate wishes when possible."

Chambers & Partner 2024
Court of Protection - Property & Affairs UK Wide

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