Public Guardianship Office set to source an external panel

The Public Guardianship Office, which has replaced the troubled Public Trust Office in looking after the affairs of mentally incapacitated people, has begun work on creating a panel of external solicitors.Fionnuala Kenny, a private client and trusts solicitor at north-west firm Mace & Jones, is one of the first to be appointed to the panel and will cover Cheshire and Greater Manchester, acting for individuals at the request of the Court of Protection.'The PGO is trying to promote a change in approach to clients,' she said.

'This includes outsourcing receivership duties and giving them a human face in England and Wales.'Ms Kenny said she will only be used as a last resort when the Court of Protection can find no one willing or suitable to complete the receivership duties.

Her tasks will include finding how much money is available to the client and identifying what their needs are.

'I essentially have to work out a budget for the client,' she said, 'it is then usually a case of making ends meet.'Panel appointments are still being made and the PGO is encouraging solicitors to apply.

A spokeswoman said: 'There are still pockets of the country left to cover and opportunities for solicitors to fill these posts.'Andrew Towler