# COP3 Mental Capacity Assessment | Nellie Supports Source: https://www.nelliesupports.com/services/mental-capacity-assessments/cop3-mental-capacity-assessment Canonical: https://www.nelliesupports.com/services/mental-capacity-assessments/cop3-mental-capacity-assessment # COP3 mental capacity assessments 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. ## 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. A finding about one decision does not settle capacity for another. If the matter involves a will, litigation, a specific property sale or a disputed decision, tell us before booking so we can check the appropriate assessment. ## 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. Serving papers is a separate service. It is not included in the standard assessment fee. Ask separately if you need help with service of papers. All travel is charged separately at £48 per hour including VAT (£40 excluding VAT). The cost is confirmed in your written quote. Urgent appointments depend on availability. Any urgent instruction, extra document review or additional court work is agreed and priced before it begins. The assessment provides capacity evidence; the court decides the application. ## How the assessment works ### 1. Agree the question Explain the decision, who is instructing, any court deadline and the support the person needs to take part. ### 2. Confirm scope and fee We confirm the assessment format, required evidence, fee including VAT and any agreed additional costs before booking. ### 3. 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. ### 4. 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. Please do not attach medical, legal or financial records to the general website enquiry. We request relevant records later through an agreed secure route. ## 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). ### Finances and health and welfare £1,080 including VAT (£900 net; £180 VAT). 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. ### Is your case more complex? The assessment and fee on this page cover our standard service, which is suitable for most instructions. If your case is more complex, high-risk or potentially contested, additional evidence may help. We can advise on the appropriate scope before booking. [Explore Advanced and Enhanced assessments](https://www.nelliesupports.com/services/mental-capacity-assessments/complex-capacity-assessments) VAT is 20% in the uploaded catalogue. All travel is charged separately at £48 per hour including VAT (£40 excluding VAT). Any additional work is scoped and agreed separately. The dual service does not include serving papers. Other decisions or court-specific requirements may need a different quote. Private clients pay in advance. Professionals and businesses are offered 30-day payment terms. We can arrange interpreters at an additional cost, agreed before booking. ## 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. [GOV.UK: COP3 form and guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/make-a-report-on-someones-capacity-to-make-decisions-form-cop3) [GOV.UK: checking mental capacity](https://www.gov.uk/make-decisions-for-someone/assessing-mental-capacity) [Our professional standards](https://www.nelliesupports.com/about-nellie-supports/professional-standards) [Our editorial policy](https://www.nelliesupports.com/editorial-policy) ### Explore the detail [Who can complete a COP3 assessment?](https://www.nelliesupports.com/guides/who-can-complete-a-cop3-assessment) [What happens after a COP3 is completed?](https://www.nelliesupports.com/guides/what-happens-after-a-cop3-is-completed) [What decisions can a COP3 cover?](https://www.nelliesupports.com/guides/what-decisions-can-a-cop3-cover) Fee source: active service catalogue supplied 13 October 2026. The written instruction confirms the assessment question, report and forms, VAT, travel and any additional agreed costs before booking. --- Nellie Supports Ltd · 0333 987 5118 · nellie@nelliesupports.com Office 11 and 12, Unit 20, Springfield Business Park, Grantham, NG31 7FZ