Professional Deputyship Symposium

Improving Outcomes for Incapacitated People

On the 11 November 2025 the National Mental Capacity Forum held a Symposium at which professional deputies from local authorities, solicitors’ firms, non-Legal Services Act regulated companies, barristers, Judges, staff from the Court of Protection, civil servants from the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), and banking and insurance representatives came together for a discussion on the issues and possible solutions to improve outcomes for people who lack mental capacity to manage their own property and affairs.

The event was chaired by Dr Margaret Flynn, Chair of the Mental Capacity Forum and aimed to address challenges and identify collaborative solutions to streamline the work of the professional deputy while also reducing burdens on the Court of Protection and related offices.

Importantly there is a list of actions the representative bodies involved will take forward which do not require a change in the law or additional money. The PDF will be working on these over the next few months and will keep you updated on progress.