The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) announced this week that it has reversed a decision to require substitute attorneys to sign powers of attorney before they are registered. The government agency had advised in February that such signatures would be necessary for all powers of attorney signed after 1st April.
The idea was that the signature would indicate the substitute attorneys’ willingness to act as an attorney, in the event that something happened to the principal attorney.
However, the OPG has decided that this change of practice need not go ahead. Instead, the existing practice will continue, requiring only the principal attorney to sign the document before it is registered.
The OPG maintains a register of continuing powers of attorney and welfare powers of attorney. It also offers information and guidance on issues such as powers of attorney, or guardianship and intervention orders.
