Court of Protection expertise recognised by new appointment

Wards Solicitors' lawyer, Alison Lamont, has been made a committee member of the South West Court of Protection Practitioners Association (CoPPA).

The aim of this national, multi-disciplinary organisation, is to consolidate and develop good practice in the Court of Protection, a specialist court which makes decisions regarding the financial affairs and welfare of people who are mentally incapacitated.

The Court of Protection is undergoing a period of "regionalisation" meaning that an increasing number of cases are heard in the Bristol Civil Justice Centre led by HHJ Marston, the Lead Court of Protection Judge for the South West Region.

Alison will be part of a team in the South West playing an active role in education and training, liaising with the Bristol Court and developing the work of CoPPA.

Alison, a Solicitor Associate, has specialised in Court of Protection, financial Deputyship and Mental Capacity matters since the Mental Capacity Act 2005 came into force and works alongside the Wills and Mental Capacity, Probate and Disputes teams.

She says: "I am delighted to join the regional committee of CoPPA. This means I can play an active role in developing best practice and awareness of Court of Protection work during this important phase of regionalisation."