Court of Protection · England and Wales
COP3 mental capacity assessments
Evidence for a clear next step.
Clear, decision-specific capacity evidence for a Court of Protection application. We help families, solicitors and professional deputies understand the assessment, agree the scope and arrange the right next step.
Independent assessment. No promised finding or court outcome.
Is this the right service?
A COP3 records evidence about capacity for the decision the Court of Protection is being asked to consider. It is not a general certificate of capacity, and it does not itself appoint a deputy.
For a family member
Tell us the decision involved and any deadline. You do not need to have every document ready for the first conversation. We will explain what the assessor needs and how to support the person.
For a professional instruction
Identify the precise decision or decisions, the application or existing proceedings, and any relevant court order. Scope, supporting evidence, fee and timing are confirmed before instruction.
What is included?
- A decision-specific mental capacity assessment and completion of COP3 Part B.
- For the single financial service: capacity to manage financial affairs.
- For the dual service: finances and health and welfare, with each decision considered separately and two reports.
- Peer review before issue and secure delivery, in line with the existing published service.
- A home visit in most cases, or a remote assessment where appropriate. The format is agreed for the person and circumstances.
How the assessment works
Agree the question
Explain the decision, who is instructing, any court deadline and the support the person needs to take part.
Confirm scope and fee
We confirm the assessment format, required evidence, fee including VAT and any agreed additional costs before booking.
Assess the specific decision
The assessor gives the person relevant information in an accessible way and considers their ability to understand, retain, use or weigh it and communicate their decision.
Review and deliver
The completed evidence is peer reviewed and delivered securely. We confirm the applicable delivery date rather than promising availability before the instruction has been reviewed.
What to prepare
For your first enquiry, tell us the decision, the person’s location, who needs the evidence and any deadline. A brief summary is enough.
- The decision or decisions that need assessing.
- Any court or other deadline.
- The person’s location and communication or access needs.
- If you already have a court order or letter of instruction, tell us. We will agree a secure route for the relevant documents and explain what authority is needed to share them.
Fees, with the scope made clear
Our catalogue distinguishes a single financial decision from the dual finances and health-and-welfare service. The fee is confirmed in writing before work starts.
Single financial decision
£720 including VAT
£600 net + £120 VAT
Financial affairs assessment and COP3 Part B.
Finances and health and welfare
£1,080 including VAT
£900 net + £180 VAT
Two decision-specific reports and COP3 Part B.
Mental capacity assessment reports are delivered within five working days of the completed assessment. Appointment dates are arranged through our reception and client liaison team.
Common questions
Can a COP3 cover more than one decision?
The instructed scope must identify each decision. The catalogue’s dual service covers finances and health and welfare, with separate reasoning and two reports. Tell us if you need a different combination.
How long does it take?
Mental capacity assessment reports are delivered within five working days of the completed assessment. Appointment dates are arranged through our reception and client liaison team.
Do you complete the whole deputyship application?
This assessment service supplies the capacity evidence and COP3 Part B. It is not the same as completing every application form, serving papers or providing legal advice.
What if the conclusion is not what we hoped for?
The assessment is independent. The assessor records the evidence and reasoning for the specific decision, rather than starting from a preferred answer. No result or court acceptance can be guaranteed.
Sources and further reading
Use the current Court of Protection form and official guidance for the application. These sources explain the framework; they do not replace advice about an individual case.