COP3 Mental Capacity Assessment for Court of Protection Deputyship
Our multidisciplinary team of qualified professionals provides fully compliant COP3 mental capacity assessment reports throughout England and Wales. We manage every step from the initial consultation to delivering a deputyship-ready report, ensuring you can focus on protecting your client or loved one. With compassionate, professional support across the country, we make obtaining a Court of Protection capacity assessment simple. Book your COP3 assessment today to secure a reliable report (starting from £496.00 excl. VAT) and gain peace of mind.
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Navigating GP Refusal to Secure a Timely COP3 Assessment
When Ms C., a professional deputy applicant, needed a COP3 mental capacity assessment for her elderly client, she first approached the client’s GP. After three months of unanswered emails and cancelled appointments, the practice finally confirmed they could not complete Part B of the COP3 form. Ms C. next contacted the local authority, only to be told that their social care team could not assist with private Court of Protection applications. Facing an imminent filing deadline and growing family concern, she turned to Nellie Supports.
On the same day, our assessment coordinator gathered the relevant background, scheduled a home visit, and assigned a registered social worker experienced in Court of Protection proceedings. The assessor conducted the MCA 2005 two-stage test, used accessible communication aids, and completed a thorough narrative report explaining the client’s lack of capacity for property and finance decisions. Our peer-review process ensured the COP3 form was fully compliant before submission. The final report was delivered securely five working days after instruction, well ahead of the deputyship hearing, allowing Ms C. to file a complete application and avoid further delay or additional court fees.
This scenario illustrates common obstacles, GP refusal, local authority inaction, tight deadlines, and how a private, nationwide COP3 capacity assessment service can provide a fast, court-ready solution when statutory pathways fall short.
How much does a COP3 Assessment Cost?
We keep Court of Protection costs predictable without compromising on quality. Our COP3 capacity assessments start at £496 (plus VAT and mileage), and every enquiry receives a clear, bespoke quotation so you’ll know the exact fee before we proceed. You still benefit from a registered, highly experienced assessor and a rigorously reviewed court-ready report—professional expertise, transparent pricing, no hidden extras.
Our COP3 Assessment Process — clear, caring, and court-ready
Initial enquiry & triage
Phone, email or book online and you’ll speak to a senior coordinator the same working day. We confirm the decision to be assessed, gather any medical or social-care history and check for safeguarding issues. This preparation means your assessor arrives fully briefed and the assessment runs smoothly.
Assessment appointment
We arrange a visit—face-to-face or secure video—at the client’s convenience. A qualified professional (from our multidisciplinary team of social workers, psychologists and nurses) completes the Mental Capacity Act two-stage test and fills in Part B of the COP3 form. The conversation is gentle, jargon-free and decision-specific, with plenty of breaks if needed.
Report drafting & peer review
Your assessor writes a clear narrative explaining how the person’s condition affects their capacity for the decision in question. Every report goes through an internal legal-quality check to ensure it meets Court of Protection standards and answers all elements of the COP3 form.
Delivery & ongoing support
You receive a secure PDF plus a signed hard copy. Minor amendments are free within 14 days, and your assessor remains available to clarify findings with solicitors or the court. We can also attend hearings (in person or by phone) if the judge requests expert evidence.
Who Needs a COP3 Assessment? (Court of Protection Form COP3)
A COP3 mental-capacity assessment is required whenever someone applies to the Court of Protection to act on behalf of a person who may lack capacity to make specific decisions. The most common scenario is a Deputyship application:
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Property & Financial Affairs Deputyship – when there is concern that an individual cannot independently manage money, pensions, property sales or other financial matters.
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Health & Welfare Deputyship – when difficult decisions about medical treatment, care arrangements or accommodation must be made for a person who cannot give informed consent.
If a loved one has lost capacity and no valid Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is in place, a deputyship—supported by a COP3 report—is the legal route to gain authority to help.
A COP3 assessment may also be required in less common situations, such as:
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Statutory Wills – when the Court must approve a will for someone who can no longer make one themselves. This may also require a life expectancy report.
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One-off Court Orders – for example, approving a high-value gift, property sale, or specific healthcare decision where independent evidence of capacity is essential.
In every case, the Court relies on the COP3 form as independent expert evidence of a person’s decision-making ability. Our nationwide team provides fast, court-compliant COP3 assessments to ensure your deputyship or other Court of Protection application proceeds without delay.
What is a COP3 Form (Capacity Assessment)?
Form COP3 is the Court of Protection’s official “Assessment of Capacity” report for England and Wales. It accompanies a Court application (often Form COP1 for deputyship) and gives the judge an independent, expert opinion on whether a person has mental capacity to make a specific decision.
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Part A – completed by the applicant or their solicitor. It sets out background details such as the person’s name, date of birth, diagnosis and the exact decision(s) under consideration.
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Part B – completed by a qualified capacity assessor. The assessor records their findings after applying the Mental Capacity Act 2005 two-stage test, explaining how the person does—or does not—understand, retain, weigh and communicate the relevant information.
Typical Decisions We Assess
A COP3 form is completed for the Court of Protection as one document, but the Mental Capacity Act 2005 requires us to assess each individual decision separately.
Below are the most common decisions we cover; where more than one decision is involved, we provide the COP3 plus a fully completed CPR Part 35 expert report for every additional decision, ensuring clear evidence of incapacity is available for the judge.
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Property & Financial Affairs Deputyship – capacity to manage money, pensions, bank accounts or sell a property.
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Health & Welfare Deputyship – capacity to make decisions about medical treatment, care arrangements or day-to-day living.
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Statutory Wills – capacity to make a will when the Court must approve a new or revised will on the person’s behalf.
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Contested / Retrospective Wills – retrospective capacity at the time a past will was executed (often used in probate disputes).
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Granting or Revoking an LPA – evidence of capacity to create, cancel or amend a Lasting Power of Attorney.
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High-Value Gifts – capacity to make a substantial financial gift; courts often require proof the donor understands the implications.
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Choosing Residence or Care Placement – capacity to decide on moving into a care home, supported living or other accommodation.
Because each decision must be tested against the MCA two-stage standard, our assessors document findings for every decision and, where necessary, attach an individual CPR Part 35 report alongside the primary COP3 form to give the Court clear, decision-specific evidence.
Client Reviews and Testimonials
Experience peace of mind with our comprehensive social work services at Nellie Supports. Our team of registered professionals, including qualified and experienced Social Workers, is dedicated to providing exceptional care and support. From mental capacity assessments to a wide range of social work services, our experts ensure accurate evaluations, personalised guidance, and the highest standards of practice. Trust in our registered professionals for a reassuring and trusted partnership on your care journey, backed by their expertise in both social work services and mental capacity assessments.
Registered professionals giving you peace of mind
Court of Protection, COP3 and Deputyship Insights
Why Choose Nellie Supports for COP3 Mental Capacity Assessments?
Nellie Supports combines nationwide reach with the personal attention of a dedicated assessor. Every COP3 assessment is completed by a qualified, experienced professional whose credentials can be verified with Social Work England and other regulatory bodies. Each report is prepared in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and CPR Part 35 requirements, ensuring it is accepted by the Court of Protection, solicitors, and financial institutions.
Our approach is clear, compassionate, and designed to minimise stress for everyone involved. We use accessible communication and take the time to ensure the person being assessed feels comfortable and respected. When time is critical, we respond the same working day, schedule assessments promptly, and deliver fully compliant reports within 5–10 working days. With a 4.9-star Google rating and thousands of successful capacity assessments across England and Wales, Nellie Supports offers the proven expertise, transparency, and responsive service you can trust.