A Power of Attorney allows someone to make decisions on your behalf, should there come a time when you cannot do so yourself due to mental incapacity. A power of Attorney can be set up if you need someone to act for you, for a temporary period for example, while you are on holiday or in hospital, or physically impaired, or if you want to supervise their actions.
Just as a Will details your wishes of what is to happen after you have passed away, a Lasting Power of Attorney details what you want to happen if you are incapacitated. This sort of Power of Attorney is referred to as a Lasting Power of Attorney and usually covers:
Property and financial affairs — which gives the attorney the authority to make decisions about your financial affairs. They can do this even while you have mental capacity.
Health and welfare — which gives the attorney the authority to make decisions about your welfare and healthcare.
The Lasting Power of Attorney, formerly known as an Enduring Power of Attorney, must be prepared well in advance, when you are of sound mind, and must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
A Lasting Power of Attorney does the following things:
- Appoints the person you want to act on your behalf in the event you lose mental capacity due to illness, accident, stroke, or dementia
- Prevents the state taking control of your affairs
- Saves your loved ones from the delays, stress, and expense of applying to the Court of Protection at a later date
- Gives you peace of mind that your future affairs are in safe hands
Where there is no Lasting Power of Attorney, and someone you are concerned about cannot manage their financial affairs and requires the ongoing assistance of a professional deputy, we can provide the support you require and assist you in making the relevant applications to the Court of Protection.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
With the increasingly complex regulatory landscape, a strong corporate governance framework is critical to avoid both financial and reputational damage. While most multinational companies have been careful to comply with local governance and compliance requirements, many are still exposed to significant risks when it comes to internal controls related to their business operations.
We act as trusted advisers to our local and multinational clients, providing advice on general regulatory compliance, competition law, anti-bribery, and anti-money laundering across a range of industries and sectors.
We have a team dedicated to advising clients on best practice corporate governance and general legal obligations incumbent on companies, funds, and institutions. We have also assisted clients in setting up and reviewing standards and internal policies and procedures. In addition, we offer bespoke training programs, crisis management solutions, and advice on other oversight matters.
With our wide range of expertise and experience in best practices, we can help you mitigate risk while keeping your business interests in the full picture.
ARBITRATION AND ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTIONS:
The entire legal system is ultimately aimed at resolving disputes. Unlike the court, mediation allows the parties to determine their fate in a confidential process, by compromise and agreement which is enforceable by the court. The value of resolution, without the costs, stress, and uncertainties of litigation, is immeasurable.
At SLS Solicitors our experienced lawyers often attempt to resolve issues through arbitration and other dispute resolution mechanisms such as negotiation, Conciliation, and mediation to the satisfaction of our clients.
We specialize in the following:
- Business Disputes
- Breach of contract
- Property
- Labour and Employment matters
- Partnership and shareholder Disputes
- Landlord and Tenants
- Civil and Constitutional Rights
- Company winding up