Website Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible online experience. If you continue, we’ll assume you are happy for your web browser to receive all cookies from our website.
See our cookie policy for more information.

Practice Areas

More Information

thepartners@wrigleys.co.uk

Leeds: 0113 244 6100

Sheffield: 0114 267 5588

FOLLOW WRIGLEYS:

Send us an enquiry
Close

Gifting

07 October 2024

The Office of the Public Guardian has issued new guidance which sets out strict parameters when an Attorney or Deputy can gift on behalf of the donor or the Protected Party (“P”) under a Deputyship order.

An Attorney or Deputy can only gift on customary occasions such as birthdays and for limited amounts or provide for others in limited circumstances, as set out in section 12 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA 2005).

Authority from the Court of Protection, via a court application, is needed for anything over and above this. Always refer to the donor’s or P’s wishes and feelings and the MCA 2005, considering the donor’s or P’s financial means and patterns of historic spending to determine whether it is in their best interests to give the gift. Any decision must be recorded in writing.

For each decision, whether the donor or P has capacity should be considered and whether they can participate in the decision making.

The OPG has included examples of what cannot be given as a gift and needs Court approval by way of an application to Court:

• A loan

• Making a large gift

• Creating a trust over P’s property

• Living rent free in a property owned by P

• Selling a property for less than its value or transferring property into another name

• Changing a Will by a deed of variation

• Maintaining and support another person

• Removing cash assets to reduce P’s estate

Be wary of making any gifts as an Attorney or Deputy from a donor’s or P’s estate and ensure the guidance is followed, as well as the MCA 2005 and refer to the court order/attorney document. Keeping good records and having an audit trail for all decision making is key and making appropriate applications to Court.

Here is the link to the new updated guidance:

giving-gifts-guidance.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

If you have any questions or we can assist, please contact Isabel McIver or any other member of Wrigleys Court of Protection team on 0114 267 5588.

You can also keep up to date by following Wrigleys Court of Protection on X.

The information in this article is necessarily of a general nature. Specific advice should be sought for specific situations. If you have any queries or need any legal advice please feel free to contact Wrigleys Solicitors. 

Isabel McIver View Biography

Isabel McIver

Managing Associate
Sheffield

07 Oct 2025
Hayley Marsden Headshot

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 – where are we now?

What further changes can be expected following ECCTA 2023 implementation?

29 Sep 2025
Michael Crowther Headshot

Sexual harassment – the new preventative duty one year on

UK employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, including third-party harassment, clear policies, training, and risk assess.

25 Sep 2025
Sue King Headshot

Whistleblowers are protected from suffering a detriment after termination of employment

Employer’s PR statements following tribunal proceedings could have founded whistleblowing claim.