Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 Explanatory Notes

Section 111 – Powers of court as to operation of lasting powers of attorney

This section gives more powers to the court. It sets out that the court may determine any question as to the meaning or effect of a LPA or an instrument purporting to create a LPA. The court may give directions regarding decisions that an attorney under the LPA has authority to make where the donor lacks capacity to make them; and the court may give consent or authorise an act which an attorney would have to obtain from the donor if the donor had capacity to give consent. In addition, the court has a number of powers available. These are powers to give directions to the attorney to render reports, accounts and records, to supply information, or produce documents or other items in his or her possession as attorney. The court may give directions about the attorney’s remuneration or expenses. The court may also relieve the attorney of liability for breach of a duty as attorney. Finally the court may authorise the attorney to make gifts outside the limited scope permitted by section 100.

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