A Deputy is appointed by the court to make certain decisions on behalf of a person who lacks mental capacity when the person has not made a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and has no Donee to decide on his behalf in respect of those decisions. A Deputy can be an individual or a licensed trust company under the Trust Companies Act (Cap.336), as prescribed by the Mental Capacity Regulations.
For persons without next of kin or suitable next of kin, Professional Deputies may apply to be their Deputies.
Parents may also apply to court to appoint themselves as Deputies for their children who lack mental capacity. A successor Deputy may also be appointed in the event where Deputies are unable to act due to loss of mental capacity themselves, or death.