What does the Court of Protection do?

The Court of Protection was created to help people who lack mental capacity. Its duties include:

• Deciding whether someone lacks mental capacity to make a particular decision
• Appointing a Deputy – someone authorised to make certain decisions on a person’s behalf
• Making urgent and emergency orders – for example, if someone requires immediate medical treatment but lacks the capacity to consent
• Making Statutory Wills where someone cannot make a Will themselves
• Making decisions in relation to a person who is deprived of their liberty (their actions and movements are being restricted)