The Court of Protection is a superior court of record in its own right. The primary function is make decisions on behalf of protected persons who by reason of mental incapacity cannot make a decision for themselves. This covers all aspects of their health and welfare and property and affairs. The President of the Court is Sir Andrew McFarlane and the Vice President is Sir Anthony Hayden, the Senior Judge for the COP is HHJ Hilder. The regional lead judge for this Circuit is HHJ Butler who sits at The Civil Justice Centre in Manchester. During the pandemic a number of guidelines and templates have been issued by the Vice President and Senior Judge.
During the pandemic a number of Guidelines and Practice Directions have been issued.
On this page we set those out together with other relevant documents including support material provided by the Northern Circuit Coronavirus Task Force.
Court Material
Face coverings in courts & tribunals (23.07.20)
Courts & Tribunals Recovery (01.07.20)
Letter from Vice President of the Court of Protection dated 11 May 2020
Letter from the Vice President of the Court of Protection - Mr Justice Hayden (04.05.20)
Remote Hearings in the Court of Protection (31.03.20 - Hayden J)
COP Bar Covid19 Note (HHJ Butler)
CTF & Other Material
Manchester CJC Visit (29.05.20)
Guidance on assessing mental capacity in different ways during COVID-19
Measures to manage DOLS authorisations during COVID-19
COP Updating note from Taskforce
Circuit Lead
Circuit Team
Useful Links
COP Practitioners Association (CoPPA)
Guidance from the Vice President