There is no single legal definition of mental capacity in Western Australia. As a lawyer specializing in guardianship cases, this question is frequently top-of-mind when dealing with some of my clients.
It is important to understand the nuances of determining mental capacity in legal matters. The definition varies depending on the type of decision or transaction involved.
There are various legal tests for mental capacity, such as the test for testamentary capacity.
Despite the many different legal tests, the fundamental issue is whether the client is able to understand the general nature of what they are doing. If there is ongoing difficulty in this level of understanding it may indicate a lack of mental capacity which requires further exploration by the lawyer.
Any work done for a client who it later turns out lacked mental capacity could be invalid and expose the lawyer to potential legal and ethical issues.
For example, a client may appear to have the mental capacity to create a will, but in reality, they may be suffering from dementia and unable to understand the consequences of their actions. This could lead to the will being challenged and the lawyer facing potential legal repercussions.
Another example is, a client may not have the mental capacity to make a contract, but have mental capacity to make a will. A lawyer should be aware of this and should not proceed with the contract if they suspect the client lacks mental capacity. If a lawyer fails to do so, it could lead to the contract being challenged and the lawyer facing potential legal repercussions.
See a publication produced by The Law Society of New South Wales entitled “When a client’s mental capacity is in doubt – A practical guide for solicitors”, dated 2016" for more information.
Navigating Guardianship Applications: Some “signs” for Families Affected by Dementia
GUARDIANSHIP ... it is important to be aware of the early signs of dementia and the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Dementia is the term used to describe losing one's memory and speech, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause.
In the early stages, it may appear as exaggerated forgetfulness, but as the disease progresses, memory loss, changes in thinking and speech, and changes in behavior may occur.
Other diseases that can cause dementia include vascular dementia, caused by small strokes, and Lewy body disease, which also presents symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease.
Although dementia is not hereditary, an early diagnosis is important as there are treatments that can be offered and it is important to prepare for the future.
Keep an eye out for extraordinary forgetfulness and out of character behaviour, such as putting food in the wrong place or tripping over words in conversation.
If you notice these signs, encourage your family members to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis.
If you or someone you know needs help applying for or dealing with a guardianship application at the State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia, please don't hesitate to contact me for assistance. I'm here to help, having acted in more than 100 such applications during the last 5 years.
Successful Review of Guardianship and Administration Decision in Western Australia
We recently acted for the applicants in a review of a decision made under the Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 (WA). You can read the full decision here.
The applicants, MD and DM, applied for a review of a decision made by a single member of the Tribunal, Member Conley, on 6 September 2022.
In the original decision, Member Conley declared that the represented person (NA) was unable to make reasonable judgments in respect of matters relating to her estate, person, and health and safety, and therefore needed an administrator of her estate and a guardian. The Tribunal then made orders revoking the enduring powers of attorney and guardianship in place and appointed the Public Trustee as plenary administrator and the Public Advocate as limited guardian.
On our clients behalf, we then applied for a review by the Full Tribunal.
After reviewing the case, the Full Tribunal decided to revoke the original orders and reinstate the enduring power of guardianship and power of attorney in favour of MD and DM.
In relation to guardianship, the Full Tribunal found that NA was unable to make decisions regarding her own health and safety and needed oversight, care, and control. However, the Full Tribunal also found that a less restrictive means was available in the form of an enduring power of guardianship (EPG) previously made by the individual. As a result, the Full Tribunal revoked the orders appointing a limited guardian and reinstated the EPG, naming two of the individual's daughters as joint guardians.
In relation to administration, the Full Tribunal found that NA’s vascular dementia rendered her unable to make reasonable judgments in relation to matters concerning her estate, but that the appointment of an administrator was not necessary as the less restrictive option of the enduring power of attorney in favour of MD and DM was available.
We are proud to have been able to assist MD and DM. A job well-done by Isaac Priddis, who appeared for our clients at the hearing.
If you would like to hire a lawyer to act on your behalf in a guardianship matter, please don't hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to discuss your options and how I can assist you.
I acted in 30 separate such matters in 2022 alone and offer a specialist service.
Guardianship Specialty: Protecting Loved Ones with Dementia
One of my 3 specialities is GUARDIANSHIP.
I often encounter clients who are seeking guardianship for loved ones suffering from dementia.
Dementia refers to a decline in cognitive function, which includes memory, language, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. It can be caused by various conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, or brain injury.
In the context of guardianship applications, the State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia considers whether an individual has dementia when determining whether they are capable of making decisions about their own care and welfare.
If the Tribunal determines that an individual lacks capacity due to dementia, a guardian may be appointed to make decisions on their behalf.
Dementia is a progressive condition, meaning it will get worse over time. As such, it's important to plan for the future and ensure that appropriate guardianship arrangements are in place to ensure the best possible care for loved ones suffering from dementia.
If you or someone you know is seeking guardianship for a loved one suffering from dementia, don't hesitate to reach out. I've dealt with 100s of these matters over the years and offer a comprehensive service.
Increase in Guardianship Applications at the State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia
As a lawyer who practices in guardianship at the State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia (SAT), I see first-hand the important role guardianship plays in protecting the rights and interests of individuals who are unable to make decisions for themselves due to disability, illness, or injury.
According to data from the SAT's annual reports, the number of guardianship applications lodged with the SAT has significantly increased over the past 5 years.
Here's a breakdown of the number of guardianship applications received by the SAT each year:
Year | Number of Guardianship applications
2018 - 3,864
2019 - 3,938
2020 - 4,903
2021 - 5,061
2022 - 5,602
There has been an overall 45.97% increase in guardianship applications between 2018 and 2022.
If you or someone you know is in need of guardianship assistance, I highly recommend looking at the SAT's website for information and support. The SAT website has a wealth of resources to help navigate the process.
If you would like to hire a lawyer to act on your behalf in a guardianship matter, please don't hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to discuss your options and how I can assist you.
I acted in 30 separate such matters in 2022 alone and offer a specialist service.