Court Appointed Visitors

The Lord Chancellor can appoint a Court of Protection visitor to a panel of special visitors or a panel of general visitors. These visitors replace the current Lord Chancellor’s visitors under Section 102 of the Mental Health Act 1983.  To be eligible for appointment as a special visitor a person must be a registered medical practitioner or appear to the Lord Chancellor to have other suitable training or special knowledge.  However, a general visitor does not need to have any particular medical qualifications.

Visitors have the power to carry out visits and produce reports as directed by the court or the public guardian.  They have the power to examine and take copies of documents or records held by authorities that relate to the protected person, and also have the power to interview the protected person in private.  Special visitors also have the powers to carry out medical examinations if necessary.  The Code of Practice indicates that visitors have a role to play in investigating possible abuse and also to check on the general well-being of a person who lacks capacity.