IMPORTANT NOTICE
Coronavirus:
In-line with the current National Restrictions, once again we have had to change our working practices in order to protect you and our staff.
Reception
Our reception will be closed until further notice. We will still be available during office hours by telephone either to our main number or direct to your usual contact.
Meetings in our offices
All meetings will be held by other communication facilities available, either telephone or video conferencing through various applications including WhatsApp and Zoom.
Post
There may be a delay in our receiving communications by post. We have found delivery times are very variable. We therefore encourage you to use email to send us this information wherever possible. If you need to send personal or confidential information then please speak to us to discuss how we can receive the information more securely than regular email.
Continuity
We have a robust business continuity plan in place that enables us to minimise the impact of the current restrictions on our service to you and your business. Our people are provided with the devices they need to work remotely, and phone calls can be answered whilst working outside of the office. They remain accessible and ready to help you – whether you would prefer to continue to liaise via phone or email.
We would like to reassure our clients that we will continue to maintain our high level of client service within the current circumstances.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions at all. You can 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.
