In order to register a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) a registration fee must be paid to the Office of the Public Guardian. It has been announced that refunds are being offered to those who applied to register an LPA or an enduring power of attorney between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2017.

The reasoning behind the refund scheme is that the operating costs of the Office of the Public Guardian reduced as more people were applying to register LPAs and the process became more efficient. However, the reduction in operating costs was not reflected in the application fee.

The Ministry of Justice reduced the application fee in April 2017 from £110 to £82. Anyone who applied to register an LPA between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2017 and paid the higher fee, can apply for a partial refund. The refund can be applied for online and can be made by the donor or an attorney at www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney-refund. Please note that the scheme only applies to LPAs and Enduring Powers of Attorney made in England or Wales.

 This briefing was posted on 13 February 2018