Pictured above: Call on us for care advice - (l-r) Emma
Vaqueiro and Sofia Tayton of Lodders Solicitors celebrate their
national appointments
Two Stratford-upon-Avon solicitors specialising in the care of
the elderly have been appointed to a new national fall-back
panel.
Sofia Tayton and Emma Vaqueiro are among just 60 experts from
across the country sitting on the reformed Office of the Public
Guardian's Panel of Deputies which the Court of Protection can call
on where vulnerable people have nowhere else to turn.
"We are thrilled," said Mrs Tayton. "It highlights the fact that
Lodders is one of the leaders in this field."
It follows reform of the system aimed at streamlining both panel
numbers and the service itself.
Mrs Tayton is an associate in the Stratford-upon-Avon firm's
Private Client Department, specialising in Lasting Powers of
Attorney, CoP matters and the administration of estates. The head
of the care for the elderly team, she advises on continuing
NHS-funded care, local authority funding and preservation of
assets.
With Mrs Vaqueiro, she is the joint regional co-ordinator of the
Warwickshire and Worcestershire branch of Solicitors for the
Elderly.
Mrs Vaqueiro is also a solicitor in the Private Client
Department and is based at the Henley-in-Arden office.
She deals with wills, the administration of estates, living
wills and in particular care for the elderly.
"It is fantastic news," said Mrs Vaqueiro. "This is an area of
great need and it is good that the authorities have recognised it
as such. To have this opportunity to progress our work is a
challenge and an honour."
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 empowers people to make decisions
for themselves as far as is possible.
However, it also protects those who may not be capable of making
all their own decisions for reasons including dementia, learning
difficulties, mental health problems, stroke or head injuries.
The CoP can appoint deputies to make decisions for them, usually
a near relative or a professional person.
Where required, it chooses from the OPG panel.
The CoP needs to refer to a panel member in around one per cent
of cases. At present, this amounts to around 220 a year.
It tends to involve those who are perhaps living on their own or
caught up in family conflict, and for whom no one else is willing,
able or suitable to act.
The panel shake-up came because it was previously deemed too
large, offering too much choice, and there was a problem finding
deputies willing to take on difficult cases, leading to delays.
"I am confident this will work much better," said Mrs
Tayton.
For more information about Lodders, please visit their website
here: www.lodders.co.uk