See answers to previous information requests

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding your council’s management of deputyship matters for individuals who lack mental capacity. I would be grateful if you could provide the following information:

1. Deputyship Service Structure
a) Does the council operate an internal team responsible for managing deputyship matters under the Mental Capacity Act 2005: Yes
b) If so, please provide a short description of how the service is structured (e.g., staffing, governance, internal processes): Senior Deputyship officers x 2, Deputyship Officer x 2, Deputyship Admin assistant x 1 (vacant). The team report to the Welfare Manager, and follow the Office of the Public Guardian Deputy Standards. – Procedure attached

2. Use of External Solicitors
a) Does the council instruct or refer work to external solicitors, law firms or legal professionals in connection with deputyship-related legal matters (e.g., conveyancing, disputes, statutory wills, litigation)?
b) If yes, please provide: Yes very occasionally
• The names of the firms used: Meila Mumford; Deka Chambers; Turpin & Miller
• The types of matters each firm typically handles: Melia Mumford: Conveyancing when selling client owned property; Deka Chambers: Court hearing for Deputyship order; Turpin & Miller: Section 21 response to court.
• Whether instructions are made under a framework agreement, panel, or on an ad hoc basis: Ad hoc

3. Criteria for External Referral
a) Does the council have a financial value threshold (e.g., property/asset value) above which legal matters are referred externally rather than handled internally: No
b). If applicable, please specify the threshold and rationale.
c) Are there any non financial criteria (e.g., complexity, conflicts of interest, required specialism) which automatically trigger referral to external solicitors: No

4. Internal vs External Case Handling
a) What categories of deputyship related legal work are handled internally: Case by case basis
b) What categories are always outsourced: Case by case basis
c) Please provide any policies, guidance documents, or internal decision making criteria relevant to this process: none

5. Volumes and Spend
For each of the past three financial years (2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25 to date):
a) How many deputyship matters were referred to external solicitors: 4 in total between 22-25
b) What was the total spend on external legal services for deputyship matters: Melia Mumford: 2023/24 = £1,581.00, 2024/25 = £1,950.60; Deka Chambers: costs met by ASC; Turpin Miller: 2023/24 = £1,800.00

6. Financial or Non Financial Benefits
a) Does the council receive any financial consideration, referral fee, commission, rebate, or any other form of payment or benefit (financial or non financial) from any external solicitor or law firm in connection with the referral of deputyship-related work: No
b) If yes, please provide details of the nature of the arrangement, the firms involved, the amounts or benefits received over the last three financial years, and any relevant agreements or policy documents.
c) If no such arrangements exist, please confirm that no financial or non financial benefits are received when referring work externally: Confirmed

7. Supporting Information
a) If available, please provide any public reports, policies, or internal documents outlining your approach to supporting individuals who have lost capacity, including management of property and financial affairs: Please see attached