Lords quiz official solicitor and public guardian on Mental Capacity Act
The House of Lords Committee charged with investigating the Mental Capacity Act 2005 will question Alastair Pitblado, the Official Solicitor and Mr Alan Eccles, the Public Guardian, on Tuesday 19 November
At 10.40am, the Committee will hear from Alastair Pitblado, the Official Solicitor, whose job it is to prevent injustice to the vulnerable. He acts as a last resort litigation friend and solicitor for those who lack capacity. The Committee will ask Mr Pitblado whether there are sufficient safeguards within the Mental Capacity Act to protect those who lack capacity from financial and other abuse; whether those who lack capacity are able to access justice when they need to, and how effective the Court of Protection is.
At 11.40am, the Committee will question Mr Eccles, the Public Guardian, whose office is responsible for the processing and registering of Lasting Powers of Attorney, by which a person can appoint an attorney to oversee their affairs in the event of losing capacity. The Committee will ask him whether sufficient numbers of lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) are being created; whether the current system for creating and registering LPAs is flexible enough to respond to changing circumstances; and how he identifies and acts upon potential cases of fraud or abuse by deputies or attorneys.
The evidence sessions will take place at 10.40 am on Tuesday 19 November in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords.
The session will be webcast at www.parliamentlive.tv and is also open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should go to Parliament's Cromwell Green Entrance and should allow time for security screening.
