Director, PDF Chair
About us
Our aim
The aim of The PDF is to support and contribute to the work of professional deputies and those who work alongside them on matters concerning vulnerable adults who lack or have limited mental capacity.
This is a challenging as well as a growing area of work and a shared forum aims to work for its members and most importantly, those they work for. As this area of work grows so does the need for a body that can both support and represent its practitioners. This includes those working alongside professional deputies, such as solicitors, trainees and paralegals who may be learning or highly experienced, but who are also their lifeblood and their future.
What we do
As well as working with the key stakeholders, all our committee members work hard to provide a growing range of resources for our members that are both practical and useful:
Suite of Precedents
Practice Notes
Witness statements
Series of Webinars
Conferences
Grade D Training
And more…
We are the Go-To organisation for professional deputies and their teams.
Who we are
PDF Committee
The PDF is led by a board of 5 Directors, who are each PDF Members.
The PDF Committee is formed from PDF Members who have each volunteered or been co-opted. It covers all levels of experience and areas of the country.
Holly Chantler
Director
Stephanie Kaye
Director
Emma Tante
Director
Martin Terrell
Director
Sam Bossi
Chief Executive Officer
Tonina Ashby
Committee Member
Oliver Banks
Committee Member
James Batey
Committee Member
Asha Beswetherick
Committee Member
Rebecca Bristow
Committee Member
Danielle Carter
Committee Member
Michael Costelloe
Committee Member
Christine Dyson
Committee Member
Caroline Featherby
Committee Member
Charlotte Fletcher
Committee Member
Jemma Morland
Committee Member
James Pantling-Skeet
Committee Member
Structure
The Committee is split into several sub-committees each tasked with focusing on our key stakeholders and relationship within them. Below are the key sub-committees and their current members.
The sub-committees meet monthly and with their corresponding stakeholder, act as the conduit with and for PDF Members. The sub-committees meet to discuss the issues and how we can best support our members and stakeholders to improve the process and quality of deputies.
Click on each of the sections below to read more about each of our sub-committees and what they do.
If you have any queries or questions for our sub-committees please contact admin@deputiesforum.co.uk.
Purpose & Aims
To promote sustainability and best practice by identifying the relevant issues and representing our members by working collaboratively with key stakeholders, obtaining expert opinion where appropriate and providing guidance and precedents.
Group Members
- Holly Chantler – Chair
- Charlotte Fletcher
- Michael Costelloe
- Tonina Ashby
- Jack Bradford
Our Work
Our current key areas of focus are:
- Obtaining counsel’s opinion re Lumb and any subsequent actions required
- Obtaining counsel’s opinion regarding the authority of a deputy in relation to a number of issues, including planning for and dealing with post death issues
- Being ready to react to PW2
- Developing and sharing investment guidance
- Being involved with a wider COP Symposium
- Quarterly meetings with the OPG
Purpose & Aims
Group Members
- Martin Terrell – Chair
- Holly Chantler
- Asha Beswetherick
- Christine Dyson
- James Pantling-Skeet
- Rebecca Bristow
- Tonina Ashby
- Peter Slaney
Our Work
Purpose & Aims
To focus on improving the costs assessment process as much as possible for deputies to promote sustainability and work collaboratively with the SCCO as much as possible for the benefit of members.
Group Members
- Stephanie Kaye
- Caroline Featherby
- Danielle Carter
- Jemma Morland
- Oliver Banks
- Ellie Howard-Taylor
Our Work
Our current key areas of focus are:
- Appealing unfair assessments for the good of all members to achieve consistency at the SCCO
- Obtaining counsel’s opinion regarding litigation support costs
- Annual meetings with the SCCO senior judges
- Regular meetings with the costs office and managing officers
- Preparing a template letter to MP’s about SCCO turnaround issues to lobby parliament
- Sharing SCCO feedback with members about bundles, e-filing and best practice
- Sharing any developments regarding hourly rates and fixed costs promptly
Purpose & Aims
To promote sustainability and best practice by identifying the relevant issues and representing our members by working collaboratively with key stakeholders, obtaining expert opinion where appropriate and providing guidance and precedents.
Group Members
- Stacey Bryant Chair
- Holly Chantler
- Caroline Featherby
- Christine Dyson
- Jemma Morland
- Oliver Banks
- Tonina Ashby
Our Work
- Re current areas of focus:
- Supporting members with training and education in respect of their obligations and duties under
- Solicitors Regulatory Authority Code of Conduct
- Solicitors Accounts Rules
- Anti money laundering legislation
- Collaborating with members and financial institutions concerning banking facilities for vulnerable clients
- Financial abuse:
- Researching common themes
- Considering potential action to reduce risks
- Collaborating with relevant stakeholders
- Training and education for members on identifying areas of risk and action to take.
- Supporting members with training and education in respect of their obligations and duties under
Purpose & Aims
Group Members
- Emma Tante – Chair
- Stacey Bryant
- James Pantling-Skeet
- Rebecca Bristow
Our Work
Purpose & Aims
Group Members
- Ellie Howard -Taylor
- Beth Dean
- Alexandra Milson
- Peter Slaney
- Jack Bradford
Our Work