Regional law firm Withy King, which has two offices in Bath, has been appointed to the Government’s panel of professionals that protects people who may not have the mental capacity to make decisions about their finances.
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) Panel of Professional Deputies is made up of court-approved professionals with the expertise and experience to act as deputies, providing help and support to individuals.
Deputies may also be called on to assist in family conflicts or in cases where people have no relatives to help them.
Withy King is supplying deputies through its trust corporation – one of just 68 selected nationwide from 477 applications. 
The OPG has named Maria Meek, pictured, a chartered accountant who specialises in Court of Protection and Compensation Protection Trusts and is based at Withy King in Bath, as one of its official panel contacts.
Maria has extensive experience of working with clients who have cerebral palsy, brain and spinal cord injuries as well as those with learning difficulties, mental health issues or dementia.
She said: “We are delighted to be appointed to the OPG Panel, working alongside like-minded professionals to help and support people who require a deputy to assist them.
“The application process was extremely rigorous so we’re really pleased that our Court of Protection experience and expertise have been recognised in this way.”
Withy King, which also has offices in Swindon, Marlborough, Oxford, Headington, Abingdon and Thame, takes a holistic approach to client care, not only providing solicitors to handle their legal affairs and any compensation claims, but also specialist Court of Protection and financial management services.
Services are delivered through a single point of contact to provide continuity, consistency and security to individuals and their families.
