openjusticecourtofprotection

A property and affairs application: Observations about P’s role and who should pay costs

Unfortunately, the timing of his reappearance in his mother’s life had led the care home and the LA to suspect that he had only sought out his mother so that he might benefit from the inheritance himself.

Cancer treatment in the face of unknowns and expert disagreement

By Ruby Reed-Berendt, 18 October 2022 A man (MB) in his 30s has been in hospital (and deprived of his liberty) since May 2022 after his mental health deteriorated. Although there remains uncertainty as to the cause of his poor mental health, there is a working diagnosis of T-cell lymphoma of the nervous system. NewcastleContinue reading “Cancer treatment in the face of unknowns and expert disagreement”

Reflections on open justice and transparency in the light of Re A (Covert Medication: Closed Proceedings) [2022] EWCOP 44

What happened in this case strikes at the very heart of the work of the Open Justice Court of Protection Project. It’s very unfortunate that the manner in which this case became public knowledge was via a blog post based on a misapprehension of the facts – necessitating a Statement correcting those facts.

“I have to tell you something which may well come as a shock”, says Court of Protection judge

By Daniel Cloake, 12 October 2022 Editorial Note: The Open Justice Court of Protection Project has issued a formal Statement about the case described here. This is an observer’s account of the first day of that hearing. The judgment is publicly available: Re A [2022] EWCOP 44. We subsequently raised concerns about the court’s decision toContinue reading ““I have to tell you something which may well come as a shock”, says Court of Protection judge”

Statement from the Open Justice Court of Protection Project concerning an inaccurate and misleading blog post

We will now investigate how it came about that an observer was admitted to a public hearing in which a salient (‘magnetic’) fact of the case was meticulously concealed (by order of the court), leading – surely inevitably – to inaccurate reporting.

Access to the community for P: a s.21A deprivation of liberty hearing

Judge Eldergill stated that P had mentioned wanting to be able to go to a restaurant (and there was also some mention of P being able to go to a bank). He referred to Paragraph X (of the Position Statement) which stated that the Home was concerned about P going out alone because he was at risk of absconding. However, the judge raised a point about the seemingly low likely risk of this happening, given that at another paragraph, it stated that P uses a Zimmer frame and so clearly has mobility issues.

Medical treatment for people with learning disabilities: Telling Robert Bourn’s story and the challenges of ‘transparency’

The initial response of his treating team, says his mother, was to say there were no treatment options. Comfort measures only were proposed and a palliative care referral was made.

A Respondent To A Deputy (Property And Financial Affairs) Application Asks For An Order That Will Ensure Payment Of Care Home Fees

By Georgina Baidoun – 12th September 2022 The Open Justice Court of Protection Project tweeted about this hearing (COP 13636992, before District Judge Thomas on 30 August 2022), reproducing the listing from CourtServe. It was listed as being about “(i) Whether a deputy should be appointed in respect of the property and financial affairs; (ii)Continue reading “A Respondent To A Deputy (Property And Financial Affairs) Application Asks For An Order That Will Ensure Payment Of Care Home Fees”

Can P return to Ireland?

Four potential care homes in the county to which Mrs H wishes to move “very clearly came back and said they could not meet her needs” (Counsel for Mrs H). “Actually”, he added, “she’s an extremely likeable, cheerful, happy, chirpy lady”. Moreover, “her wish to return to Ireland hasn’t waned in any shape or form”.

Office of the Public Guardian steps in when attorneys don’t agree

I have made an LPA for Property and Affairs myself and was conscious at the time that they are not without their difficulties. In this case, there is a real possibility that, as P’s assets reduce, either he or his wife will have to move home and reduce their standard of living. With the best will in the world, I am not sure how this could or should be resolved, and family conflict seems almost unavoidable. In my case I have chosen to include a professional as an Attorney, accepting that this will come at a cost.