More often than not, government, public bodies and other authorities appear to be opposed to revising, or repealing, new legislation that has been hugely unpopular or problematic – no matter what.

So it is a refreshing change to hear that the new public guardian, Martin John, is keen to consult across the board to resolve issues with the lasting power of attorney (LPA) application process.

While staunchly defending the new LPAs as providing better protection for vulnerable adults, including mentally incapacitated senior citizens, against fraudsters and financial abuse, John makes it clear that his priority is to make LPAs work.

There are many private client practitioners who disagree that LPAs have improved safeguards for vulnerable adults since they replaced the old enduring power of attorney (EPA) system in October, but let us not forget others have welcomed the new powers – as witnessed by the lively debate on our letters page.

Whatever your view – expensive waste of time or an imperfect step in the right direction – the profession should welcome John’s willingness to make the system more flexible and address concerns over delays, fees, implementation and the design of forms.

Pity, then, the government has not taken the same line over its ever-controversial home information packs (HIPs) which have provoked almost unprecedented levels of resentment among practitioners and the public alike.

Instead, as seen by the latest attempts to prop-up the unpopular packs, the government appears deaf to calls for any meaningful change.