Our Services
Qualia Law CIC provides independent professional Court of Protection deputyship services for property and financial affairs, acting for adults who lack capacity to manage their own finances.
We are appointed where the Court requires an experienced, independent professional to safeguard finances, manage risk, and make lawful decisions in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. All deputyships are managed by qualified solicitors with specialist Court of Protection experience.
When a professional deputy is appropriate
A professional deputy may be suitable where an individual:
-
Lacks capacity to manage their financial affairs
-
Has no appropriate family member able or willing to act
-
Is vulnerable to financial abuse or exploitation
-
Has complex needs, fluctuating capacity, or safeguarding concerns
-
Is subject to family conflict or breakdown of trust
Professional deputyship provides stability, independence, and continuity where informal or family-led arrangements are not in the individual’s best interests.
Why an independent deputy is often required. The Court frequently appoints an independent deputy where:
-
Objectivity and professional distance are essential
-
There are concerns about conflict, influence, or risk
-
Previous arrangements have failed
-
The local authority or Court considers independence necessary to protect P
An independent professional deputy acts solely in P’s best interests and is accustomed to working within safeguarding and public-law frameworks.
A not-for-profit, public-sector-aligned model
Qualia Law CIC operates as a not-for-profit social enterprise. Our purpose is to deliver careful, proportionate deputyship services without profit motive.
This model aligns with the statutory duty on Welsh local authorities under section 16 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 to promote social enterprises and third-sector involvement in the delivery of support services. In practice, this means our approach reflects the values and accountability expected in public-sector partnership working.
We are trusted and referred to by local authorities and charities across Wales and England, and are accustomed to working alongside social workers, safeguarding teams, and legal departments in complex cases.
Leadership and assurance
Our team is led by Tom Evans, a solicitor and Office of the Public Guardian Panel Deputy.
The OPG Panel comprises experienced professional deputies who may be appointed by the Court of Protection in cases requiring a higher level of expertise, independence, or risk management. Panel membership reflects proven competence and experience in complex deputyship work.
This leadership provides assurance that cases referred to Qualia Law CIC are managed within recognised professional and regulatory standards.
Court of Protection Deputyship
In some cases, an individual has capacity to make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) but requires independent, professional support to manage aspects of their property and financial affairs.
Qualia Law CIC acts as professional attorney under LPAs where this level of independence, oversight, or specialist input is appropriate.
Who may benefit from a professional attorney?
Professional attorney services may be suitable where an individual:
-
Retains capacity to grant an LPA but anticipates future vulnerability
-
Wishes to plan ahead while maintaining autonomy and control
-
Has no suitable family member or trusted person to act as attorney
-
Experiences fluctuating capacity or progressive conditions
-
Requires impartial management of finances due to complexity or risk
-
Prefers professional distance to avoid burdening family members
-
In these circumstances, appointing a professional attorney can provide reassurance, continuity, and protection while respecting the individual’s decision-making autonomy.
Why appoint an independent professional attorney?
An independent professional attorney may be appropriate where:
-
Objectivity and freedom from family influence are important
-
There is a need for careful boundary-setting between support and control
-
The individual’s finances require structured, proportionate management
-
There are safeguarding considerations but capacity is currently retained
Acting as attorney under an LPA allows support to be provided without Court involvement, while still operating within a clear legal framework and subject to the supervision of the Office of the Public Guardian.
Our approach
As a not-for-profit organisation, Qualia Law CIC provides professional attorney services with the same emphasis on independence, proportionality, and best interests that underpins our deputyship work.
All attorneyships are managed by qualified solicitors, ensuring decisions are legally grounded, transparent, and appropriate to the individual’s circumstances.
This service is complementary to our professional deputyship role and is often suitable as an early, preventative alternative where Court appointment is not yet required.
Professional Attorneyship
We deliver specialist training for professionals working in the public and third sector who support adults with mental capacity, safeguarding, or financial decision-making needs.
While our training is available to any relevant organisation or professional group, it is particularly focused on local authority practitioners, including social workers and others working directly with individuals who may have mental capacity issues. Our training has been delivered to organisations across Wales and England, supporting professionals to apply legal frameworks confidently and proportionately in practice.
All sessions are delivered by an experienced solicitor with specialist Court of Protection expertise.
Who the training is for
Our training is suitable for:
-
Social workers and social care practitioners
-
Safeguarding and adult protection teams
-
Local authority case managers and commissioners
-
Third-sector organisations supporting vulnerable adults
-
Care providers and professionals working in residential or community settings
Content is practical and grounded in the situations professionals encounter in frontline roles.
Training topics
Training sessions cover areas including:
-
Mental capacity and financial decision-making
-
Safeguarding vulnerable adults
-
Recognising and responding to financial abuse
-
The role of the Court of Protection and professional deputies
-
Key differences between Lasting Powers of Attorney and deputyship
Sessions can be tailored to the needs, experience level, and statutory context of the audience.
Format and delivery
Training can be delivered:
-
On-site at care homes, local authority premises, or organisational settings
-
Online via live interactive webinars
Our training and advice sessions are provided free of charge. Time is built in for questions, and we remain available for follow-up enquiries by telephone or email after delivery.
Booking and availability
We regularly host free training sessions open to professionals via Eventbrite.
If scheduled sessions are not suitable, or if you would like to arrange a tailored session for your organisation or team, please contact us:
Email: info@qualia-law.org
Telephone: 0333 305 3057
Free Bespoke Training
We provide a free advice and guidance service for professionals and families seeking clarity on issues relating to mental capacity and financial safeguarding.
This service is available to professionals working in the public or third sector, as well as to families and carers who require general guidance when navigating complex or uncertain situations.
What the service provides
Advice and guidance is provided by a qualified solicitor with specialist Court of Protection experience and may include:
-
General guidance on mental capacity in a financial context
-
Safeguarding concerns and early indicators of financial abuse
-
Understanding available legal options and frameworks
-
Signposting to appropriate next steps or support
The focus is on helping individuals and professionals understand the issues and options available, rather than on progressing or managing individual cases.
Scope and limitations
This pro bono service is advice-only. It does not extend to:
-
Ongoing casework or representation
-
Preparation or submission of Court applications
-
Acting as deputy, attorney, or litigation friend
-
Providing legal advice tailored to complex or contested matters
Where more substantive legal involvement may be required, this will be discussed transparently so that individuals can make informed decisions about next steps.
Who the service is for
The advice line is particularly useful for:
-
Social workers and professionals considering whether Court involvement may be required
-
Safeguarding teams assessing financial risk
-
Families seeking early guidance before formal intervention is necessary
-
Third-sector organisations supporting vulnerable adults
The service is designed to support early, preventative decision-making and to reduce uncertainty at an early stage.
Accessing our advice service
Advice and guidance can be accessed by contacting us directly:
Email: info@qualia-law.org
Telephone: 0333 305 3057
