IMPORTANT NOTICE
Covid - 19
As for many businesses across the country, we have been working hard in line with the most up to date Government guidance. We are pleased to have re-opened our Reception to clients from 10am to 4pm.
We have completed a robust risk assessment covering our client facing reception and meeting room areas, as well as our internal risks due to staff work areas, office cleaning and maintenance requirements and, importantly, the impacts on staff communication and well being.
This has led to the implementation of the following reopening measures:
• Clients will be seen face to face by pre-appointment only. Appointments will also need to be made in advance for document signing including obtaining certified copies of documents
• Only one client meeting will take place in the office at any one time, with calendar management allowing sufficient time between appointments for cleaning routines and to avoid crossover
• A perspex screen has been installed on our reception desk
• Increased cleaning routines with hand sanitiser and bacterial wipes available
• Face coverings and disposable gloves will be available for staff to use as required
• No member of staff will be required to return to the office to work if they do not feel comfortable to do so pending the further easing of restrictions and the provision of additional government guidance
• Staff have been briefed and will be required to maintain social distancing
• the majority of our staff work in individual rooms
No-one must attend the office if they are unwell. In line with the most up to date guidance, anyone with coronavirus symptoms must self-isolate for seven days from when their symptoms started. Anyone who does not have symptoms must self-isolate for 14 days from when the first person in their home started having symptoms.
We would like to reassure our clients that we feel confident in maintaining our high level of client service within the new normal circumstances.
Our staff remain accessible and ready to help you – whether you would prefer to continue to liaise via phone or email, or if you would feel comfortable to arrange a face to face meeting.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions at all. Please call or email your usual contact, our business hours remain as 9am to 5pm.
David Sprake
Managing Partner
Refund of Deputyship fees
On 4 October 2019 the Ministry of Justice launched a new refund scheme.
The Office of the Public Guardian has decided that it needs to refund some of the fees it charged in deputyship matters for the period 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2015.
Some refunds will be issued automatically and some will need to be applied for, e.g. by the deputy themselves or executors in an estate.
Further details can be found;
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/check-if-you-can-apply-for-a-refund-of-deputyship-fees
Power of Attorney Refund Scheme
The Ministry of Justice has announced that people who applied to have a Lasting Power of Attorney or Enduring Power of Attorney registered between 1st April 2013 and 31st March 2017 may apply for a partial refund of the fees paid. You must apply by 31st January 2021.
The refund scheme will be operated by the Office of the Public Guardian and applications can be made by telephone, post or online.
Supply your name, contact number, address and email address and the donor’s name and case reference number (if known) to:
Telephone: 0300 456 0300 (select option 6)
Write: POA Refunds Team, 7th Floor, Office of the Public Guardian, PO Box 16185, Birmingham B2 2WH
Email: poarefunds@justice.gsi.gov.uk
Please note that the application must be made by the donor or an attorney even if the initial application was made by Sprake & Kingsley or another organisation.
If the donor has died only the Executor or Administrator of the estate can make the claim.
