Increase in Mental Capacity Act orders for 2017
Increase in Mental Capacity Act orders for 2017
The most recent Family Court statistics bulletin shows an increase in Mental Capacity Act orders for 2017 (29 March 2018).
38,945 orders were made under the MCA last year, an increase of nearly 50% on 2016, though the report ascribes some of that increase to a “clearance of outstanding cases during the first quarter of 2017, and volumes have increased generally due to improved recording of orders made by regional courts.”
More than a third (40%) of the orders made related to the appointment of a deputy for property and affairs.
The number of Lasting Powers of Attorney’s (LPAs) received also rose, with 180,210 received in the last quarter of the year, up 18% on the equivalent period in 2016. Over the entire year, the increase was 28%, continuing the long term upward trend seen since the start of 2015 due to increased publicity and new online forms.
There were 2,552 Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs) in October to December 2017, down 5% on the same quarter in 2016. Annually, there was also a decrease of 7% in 2017 compared to 2016, continuing the long-term downward trend.
10. Mental Capacity Act – Court of Protection
“…In October to December 2017, there were 7,840 applications made under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA), up 10% on the same quarter for 2016. Similarly, there was a 5% increase in 2017 compared to 2016, continuing the upward trend seen since 2009. Half of those applications in 2017 related to applications for appointment of a property and affairs deputy…
“In comparison, there were 38,945 orders made under the MCA in 2017, an increase of nearly 50% on 2016. Similarly, the number of orders made in the latest quarter (October to December 2017) was up 50% compared to the equivalent period in 2016. The annual 14 increase has been driven by a clearance of outstanding cases during the first quarter of 2017, and volumes have increased generally due to improved recording of orders made by regional courts. Over a third (40%) of the orders made in 2017 related to the appointment of a deputy for property and affairs…
“11. Mental Capacity Act – Office of the Public Guardian
“Continued increasing long term trend in Lasting Powers of Attorneys (LPAs) LPAs received increased by 18% in October to December 2017 compared to the same period in 2016; and by more than a quarter (up 28%) between 2016 and 2017
“There were 180,210 Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) received in October to December 2017, up 18% on the equivalent quarter in 2016. Overall for 2017, the increase from 2016 to 2017 was 28%, maintaining the strong long term upward trend, despite the drop in the two most recent quarters… The increase seen in recent years is largely due to increased publicity and new online forms which were introduced in July 2015 making it simpler and faster to apply for LPAs. There were 2,552 Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs) in October to December 2017, down 5% on the same quarter in 2016. Annually, there was also a decrease of 7% in 2017 compared to 2016, continuing the long-term downward trend.”
See also https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/family-court-statistics-quarterly-october-to-december-2017