A
- Attorney
The person who is given authority by a power of attorney to act on behalf of the donor in financial or medical/health matters
C
- Carer
A person who has been appointed to care for another person in financial and health matters.
- Controller (Northern Ireland)
Appointed by the Court to act on behalf of someone who no longer possesses capacity.
- Continuing Power of Attorney (Scotland)
A legal document that allows a person (Granter) to appoint one or more people (Attorneys) to act on their behalf.
- Court of Protection
A Court that makes decisions on financial or welfare matters for people who can’t make decisions for themselves at the time they need to be made.
- Court Order
A ruling issued by a court or a judge requiring a person to do or not do something.
D
- Deputy
A person appointed by the Court of Protection to act on behalf of another person who is unable to make decisions for themselves (England & Wales).
- Donor
A person who is giving another person authority to act on their behalf in financial or medical and health matters.
E
- Enduring Power of Attorney
A legal document that appoints one or more people (Attorneys) to act on behalf of the donor to manage their affairs. (Please note: Enduring Power of Attorneys in England and Wales were replaced by Lasting Power of Attorney in October 2007 and no longer available. Enduring Power of Attorney is a current method of Power of Attorney in Northern Ireland).
- Estate
The property, assets and outstanding debts belonging to a person who has died.
G
- Granter (Scotland)
The person giving another person authority to act on their behalf in financial or medical and health matters (equivalent to Donor in England & Wales).
- Guardian (Scotland)
A person appointed by a court to make decisions regarding the care of another person.
- Guardianship (Scotland)
A legal proceeding to determine whether a person is legally incapable and should have a Guardian appointed to care for the person or the person’s financial matters.
- Guardianship Order (Scotland)
A court appointment which authorises a person(s) to act and make decisions for another person.
- General Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney that gives a person very broad powers, generally to conduct all kinds of business on behalf of another person.
H
- Health & Welfare Power of Attorney
A legal document giving a person the power to act on behalf of another person in medical and health matters.
I
- Incapacitated or incapcity
The position of no longer having the ability to perform an action or an activity which may be due to a physical or mental condition.
L
- Lasting Power of Attorney (England & Wales)
A legal document that appoints one or more people (Attorney) to act on behalf of another person.
- Letter of Authority
Written confirmation from a person enabling the sharing of information with a named third party for a set period of time or for a defined purpose. (Please note: This is an informal mechanism and does not permit the appointee to make any transactions or alterations to any contract).
O
- Office of Public Guardian
A government body which protects people in England and Wales who may not have the ability to make decisions for themselves.
P
- Power(s) of Attorney
A document that gives one person (Attorney) authority to act on behalf of another person (Donor or Granter).
- Property & Financial Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney giving a person the power to act on behalf of another person in financial matters.
S
- Solicitor
A legal professional.
- Solvent
Having sufficient assets to pay their financial commitment and debts.
T
- Third party Mandate/ Agreement/ Arrangment
A short term arrangement where a person appoints a third party to conduct specified activities on their behalf.