Thornton & Lee Social Work Consultancy

17/07/2026

Court of Protection property sale applications – a practical new solution for Court of Protection lawyers

Following the recent Supreme Court judgment in Re AG, which has significantly clarified when a person living in a care home is deprived of their liberty, many Court of Protection Lawyers are now encountering cases where a person no longer meets the threshold for a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisation. As a result, applications to sell a property to fund care may no longer be accompanied by evidence that the Court has traditionally had available.

To help address this evolving evidential landscape, Thornton & Lee is launching a new COP24 Witness Statement service.

For just £170 + VAT when instructed alongside our Property & Financial Affairs COP3 assessment, our experienced mental capacity assessors will prepare a professionally evidenced COP24 witness statement. Our reports are structured in line with emerging recommendations following Re AG, recording and analysing the evidence the Court of Protection is likely to require when determining whether it is in a person’s best interests for their property to be sold.

We also understand the importance of timescales. Our typical lead time for a COP3 assessment remains just 7–10 days, with the completed report returned within seven days of the assessment, enabling Lawyers to progress applications without unnecessary delay.

If you are dealing with a property and financial affairs application affected by the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision in Re AG, we would be pleased to discuss how our new COP24 Witness Statement service may support your application.

For further information about our Court of Protection assessment services, please contact the Thornton & Lee team.

10/07/2026

⭐ Feedback Friday ⭐

There’s no better way to end the week than by sharing some wonderful feedback from one of our clients. 💙

Supporting people through mental capacity assessments is a privilege, and we’re so grateful when clients take the time to share their experience. Reviews like this remind our whole team why compassion, professionalism and clear communication matter so much.

A huge thank you to everyone who has trusted Thornton & Lee—we truly appreciate every kind word and every recommendation. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We hope you’re all making the most of this beautiful sunshine! ☀️ Whether you’re spending time with family, enjoying the garden or simply taking a well-earned break, we wish you a wonderful, relaxing weekend.

From all of us at Thornton & Lee, thank you for your continued support. 💙

&Lee

02/07/2026

New Case Study | When gratitude, family dynamics and mental capacity intersect.

Can someone choose to gift part of their estate to loved ones during their lifetime? And how can those wishes be protected if they’re challenged later?

Our latest case study follows Evelyne’s story and explores the important role a mental capacity assessment can play in supporting informed financial decisions, protecting personal wishes and providing reassurance for families.

Read Evelyne’s story here: https://www.thorntonlee.co.uk/case-studies/

&Lee

We really care about what we do, and nothing makes us happier than reading stories and testimonials about how we've helped our community.

26/06/2026

🌟 Feedback Friday 🌟

What a scorcher it’s been today! ☀️ We hope everyone is keeping cool, staying hydrated, and finding a little time to enjoy the sunshine.

As we head into the weekend, we’re sharing another wonderful review, left yesterday, from one of our clients. Knowing we’ve been able to support families through important decisions with compassion and professionalism means the world to us.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to leave us such kind feedback – your words truly make our Friday! 💛

Wishing you all a relaxing, safe, and lovely weekend.

&Lee

24/06/2026

🧠 Myth or Fact? Let’s set the record straight! ⚖️

Mental Capacity Assessments are often misunderstood, leading to unnecessary worry, confusion, and misinformation. From “having dementia means you automatically lack capacity” to “capacity is all or nothing”, there are many common myths that simply aren’t true.

In our latest blog, we bust some of the biggest misconceptions and explain what Mental Capacity Assessments really involve, why they’re decision-specific, and how they help protect a person’s rights and choices. 💡💬

📖 Read the full blog here: https://www.thorntonlee.co.uk/common-myths-about-mental-capacity-assessments/

&Lee

In this blog, we address 10 of the most common misunderstandings about mental capacity we observe, explaining what the law actually says.

12/06/2026

💙⭐ Client feedback like this means the world to us. ⭐💙

This week, we were privileged to receive this lovely review following an Executor Mental Capacity Assessment and Form PA14 signing.

🏡⚖️ When an executor of a will is believed to have lost mental capacity, obtaining probate can become an incredibly stressful and complicated process for families. Until a suitably qualified professional is able to assess the executor’s capacity and complete the necessary PA14 declaration, Letters of Administration or Probate cannot be granted. This can lead to significant delays, concerns about the security of the estate, difficulties dealing with creditors, and uncertainty for beneficiaries waiting to receive their inheritance.

🤝 We understand that families are often navigating grief alongside complex legal processes, and our aim is always to make that journey as straightforward and supportive as possible.

✨ Nothing makes us happier than seeing our company values of kindness, professionalism and compassion reflected in the feedback we receive. Knowing that families feel supported, informed and cared for throughout the process is exactly why we do what we do.

⭐💙 Reviews like this remind us that expertise matters, but so does kindness. 💙⭐

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10/06/2026

🧠❓ What happens if someone refuses a mental capacity assessment for a Deputyship Order?

These situations can be distressing and legally complex for families. A refusal to engage does not automatically mean someone lacks capacity, and the Court of Protection still requires robust, evidence-based assessments.

In our latest blog, we explain the legal framework, why people may be reluctant to participate, and how a compassionate, person-centred approach can help maximise engagement. 🤝💙

📖 Read more: https://www.thorntonlee.co.uk/what-happens-if-someone-refuses-a-mental-capacity-assessment-for-a-deputyship-order/

Sometimes, the person being assessed may be reluctant or unwilling to engage in the assessment process. Here is what happens then.

14/05/2026

Feedback Thursday ⭐️

Nothing makes us prouder than hearing from the families and professionals we support.

At Thornton & Lee, we understand that every assessment comes at an important and often emotional time for our clients, which is why compassion, professionalism and care are at the heart of everything we do.

We are incredibly grateful for the kind feedback we continue to receive and so proud of our dedicated team for the expertise, patience and support they provide every single day.

Thank you to everyone who has trusted Thornton & Lee with such important matters — your words mean so much to us. ⭐️



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13/03/2026

Feedback Friday:

We’re always grateful when clients take the time to share their experiences.

Here are a couple of Google reviews we received this week – thank you for your kind words and for trusting Thornton & Lee to support you during important and often difficult times.

&Lee

12/03/2026

🏡 Deed of Transfer vs Deed of Gift – what’s the difference and why does it matter when assessing mental capacity?

When property or assets change hands, the legal documents behind the transfer really matter. But many people aren’t sure what a Deed of Transfer or a Deed of Gift actually means.

In our latest blog, we break down the key differences, when each might be used, and why getting the legal details right is so important when approaching mental capacity assessments. ✍️

🔗 Read the full blog here: https://www.thorntonlee.co.uk/what-is-a-deed-of-transfer-and-a-deed-of-gift/

Transferring ownership of property is a large decision, it should be made with guidance to ensure the deed has been explained to all parties.