It’s time to stop unscrupulous individuals from abusing powers of attorney, writes Ann Stanyer
It is three years since the Power of Attorney Act 2023 was granted royal assent. This Act was designed to radically transform the way in which Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) were executed and change how the registration process was managed by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). Apart from one minor change concerning certifying copy documents, none of the other provisions have been introduced.
One can only speculate that the OPG has found difficulties in finding compatible software that allows the process to be streamlined through a digital channel at the same time as safeguarding potentially vulnerable donors from abuse.
Take-up of LPAs
We can see the public is signing up to LPAs in increasing numbers. In July the OPG issued its annual report 2025–26 detailing its performance over the year and what it is doing to improve its services to the public. Once again there has been a dramatic increase in the number of powers of attorney being registered.
