Award-winning Court of Protection Costs Specialists

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Court of Protection Costs Specialist Services

We are not believers in the production line or that one service fits all. Each case is considered and dealt with on its own merits.

At A&M Bacon, we are proud to take a personalised yet consistent approach to all matters involving Court of Protection costs. We don’t believe in a “one size fits all” or production-line method. Instead, every case is considered on its own merits, ensuring attention to detail and tailored support from start to finish.

Unlike firms that divide services across departments, our costs experts manage each matter from instruction to completion. This end-to-end approach gives our clients confidence and continuity throughout the costs recovery process.

Tailored Support for Court of Protection Costs

We offer a flexible and responsive service, whether you need full case management or support with a specific task. We can simply draft the bill for you to manage in-house, or we can handle the entire process, right through to applying for the Final Costs Certificate.

Our experienced team drafts bills within the Court of Protection for a wide range of applications, including:

  • Applications to appoint a deputy, whether a professional deputy or a lay deputy

This is the process of applying to the Court of Protection to appoint a deputy who can make decisions on behalf of someone who lacks mental capacity. A professional deputy is usually a solicitor, while a lay deputy is typically a family member or friend.

How we support:
We prepare detailed Bills of Costs for all deputyship application work, ensuring your costs are properly recorded and recoverable. Our team is familiar with the assessment criteria set by the SCCO and ensures accuracy, compliance, and efficiency throughout.

  • Annual general management costs bills

These are yearly costs incurred by a deputy in managing an incapacitated person’s property and financial affairs on an ongoing basis.

How we support:

We draft accurate, fully itemised general management bills, tailored to your case. We will ensure your submissions are clear, well-supported, and in line with SCCO expectations.  We will also advise you if we feel it may be in your best interests to take fixed costs instead of opting for assessment, particularly relevant for any smaller cases you might be working on.

  • Statutory Will applications

When a person cannot make a Will, a Statutory Will can be made with the approval of the Court of Protection to reflect their best interests.

How we support:
Our experts prepare bills of costs for all work involved in the will application process, ensuring each item is documented appropriately for assessment and recovery.

  • Applications for lifetime gifting

An application for lifetime gifting is made to the Court of Protection when a deputy wishes to make a gift from the protected party’s estate that goes beyond what is considered a reasonable or customary gift under their existing authority.

While deputies have limited powers to make small, routine gifts, such as birthday or seasonal gifts, the Court’s permission is required for:

  • More significant or one-off gifts to family members, friends, or charities
  • Gifts intended for inheritance tax planning
  • Transfers of property or significant assets

These applications must demonstrate that the gift is in the protected person’s best interests, considering their financial needs, past and present wishes, and the potential impact on their estate.

How we support:
We assist by drafting costs bills for all work related to lifetime gifting applications. Our knowledge of what the SCCO will accept ensures maximum recovery of reasonable costs.

  • Applications to appoint a trustee under the Trustee Act 1925

These applications are made to the Court of Protection when a trustee, often managing property or assets held in trust, can no longer act, typically due to incapacity, death, or unwillingness. In cases where the person lacking capacity is a trust beneficiary, the court may need to appoint a new trustee to ensure the trust continues to be administered appropriately.

This is particularly relevant when no alternative appointment method is available under the terms of the trust deed or applicable law. The court will consider the protected person’s best interests when approving the appointment.

How we support:
We draft comprehensive Bills of Costs for Trustee Act applications, reflecting the complexity and importance of the work. Our specialists ensure your bills are structured and compliant for a smooth SCCO assessment.

  • Any other bill requiring assessment by the Court of Protection section of the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO)

The Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO) assesses all costs incurred in Court of Protection matters to determine whether they are reasonable and proportionate, as such costs are usually to be paid from the protected party’s estate.

How we support:
Whether your bill relates to a one-off application or complex ongoing management, our team prepares high-quality bills for assessment, manages file preparation, handles recalculations post-assessment, and supports you through any appeals or queries the SCCO raises.

We deal with all aspects of Court of Protection costs, fixed or hourly, and can assist with guidance, appeals, and legal training as needed.

Experts in Costs

Our team has extensive experience across all areas of Court of Protection costs, offering tailored support for the following matters:

  • Court of Protection applications
  • Deputyship costs
  • General management costs
  • Court of Protection fixed fees and hourly rates
  • Professional legal fees
  • Costs guidance and training for legal professionals
  • Professional deputy costs and Court of Protection costs assessment

Contact us

To discuss your costs requirements, please call us on 01733 350880. You can also send your query to us via email by filling in the form on the contact page.

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Contact us

3 Regent Terrace,
Doncaster,
DN1 2EE

01733 350 880

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