Former judge warns of 'lack of safeguards' in power of attorney

'Lack of transparency'

Hannah Godfrey
clock • 2 min read

Retired senior judge Denzil Lush has warned of a lack of safeguards in the power of attorney system in England and Wales, saying people should be more aware of the risks involved.

Lush said it can have a "devastating" effect on family relationships, and has vowed to never sign one himself, the BBC reported. He described the practice as a "crusade" which "demonised" the legal alternative - the appointment of deputies by the Court of Protection itself. The power of attorney is a legal document that gives someone the authority to act on behalf of another person in specified or all legal or financial matters. The BBC referred to a case where the power of attorney was used to exploit a war veteran who had given responsibility for his financial affairs to his neig...

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