Individual
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.
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
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.
Frances really cares about her clients, who are often extremely vulnerable and need her protection, expertise, and care. 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.
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 £164 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.
Sophie Auckland
Associate, Deputy, Professional Trustee & Head of Department, Court of Protection
Sophie Auckland
Associate, Deputy, Professional Trustee & Head of Department, Court of Protection
Areas of Specialism
Sophie is the Head of the Court of Protection team specialises in professional deputyships for acquired brain injury and elderly clients, with over 10 years’ experience handling complex Court of Protection cases. Sophie is also a Professional Trustee. Sophie regular advises on:
- Professional Deputy for elderly and vulnerable clients.
- Lay Deputyships for Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare matters.
- The management of client’s property and assets
- Lasting Power of Attorneys
Recent Client Matters
- Sophie has been appointed as a Professional Deputy for an elderly gentleman with dementia following a referral from Social Services. Sophie’s appointment has protected the gentleman’s assets from fraud, to which he was previously a victim of, and has ensured security for his future. Sophie has aided an increase to his care, equipment and allowed access to funds for social activities, greatly improving his quality of life.
- Sophie has offered expert guidance to parents who wished to be lay deputies for their child. Sophie 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.
- Sophie was appointed as a Professional Deputy for a young man as his previous Deputy was retiring. Sophie has utilised her warm and compassionate nature to build a strong trusting relationship with the young man to provide assurance that his finances will continue to be managed in his best interests.
Qualifications, Membership
- Ranked in Chambers since 2020
- Dementia Friend
- QEF Legal Clinic Advisor
- Member of the Professional Deputyship Forum
Sophie can be contacted by email: SVA@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249210.
Beth Luckett
Senior Paralegal, Court of Protection
Areas of Specialism
Beth is a Paralegal in the Court of Protection team. Beth has built upon her background in Mental Health Law with a further five years’ experience in Court of Protection matters. Beth applies her meticulous and empathetic approach to:
- 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.
Poppy Spencer
Paralegal, Court of Protection
Areas of Specialism
Poppy is a Paralegal in the Court of Protection team. Poppy spent two and a half years in the Commercial Property Department and recently moved to Cout of Protection to apply her caring and conscientious approach to:
- Deputyships for Property & Financial Affairs
- Liaison with the Court of Protection
- Providing collaborative support to Litigation Solicitors
- The management of client’s property and assets
Recent Client Matters
- Poppy works alongside the deputy for an elderly gentleman with Dementia. Poppy has arranged for his property to be maintained, equipment to be installed, and for social activities to be re-introduced into his life.
- Poppy works collaboratively with litigation solicitors, architects, surveyors, and the client’s parents to purchase and renovate a ‘forever home’ which was adapted for the young client to meet his complex needs both now and long into his future.
- Poppy provided collaborative support and information sharing to litigation solicitors to evidence the expenditure and losses experienced by a client for his multi-million-pound settlement.
Qualifications, Membership
- Member of the Professional Deputies Forum
- Dementia Friend
Poppy can be contacted by email: PS@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249225.
Georgia Kennard
Paralegal, Court of Protection
Areas of Specialism
Georgia is a Paralegal in the Court of Protection team. Georgia has been overseeing the administration in the team for four years and provides caring, comprehensive support to clients including:
- The management of client’s property and assets
- Liaison with the Court of Protection
- Liaison with Cost Draftsman and SCCO
- Administrative support to whole team
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.
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.
