If you, or someone you are acting for, was a client of the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) and paid fees relating to a deputyship between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2015, then you could be due a refund.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) sets OPG’s deputyship fees. An MOJ review found that fees did not always match how much it cost for OPG to supervise deputyships between April 2008 and March 2015.
The MOJ says it has improved support and supervision for deputyships and it continues to review the fees. Since 1 April 2015, clients have not been overcharged.
The MOJ has now set up a refund scheme for those who were charged fees that were higher than necessary, to enable people who have been affected to obtain a refund.
The scheme will be run by OPG and does not apply to any fees paid to OPG Scotland, the Office of Care and Protection in Northern Ireland or the Court of Protection.
Existing OPG clients
Current deputies with existing eligible clients will be contacted by OPG and their clients will be automatically refunded. They need take no further action at this stage.
Former OPG clients
If the client’s case has now closed and the deputyship ended, then an application will need to be made as the OPG can’t automatically refund these eligible cases.
If you, or someone you know, thinks they may be eligible view the news story and scheme guidance on www.gov.uk for more information on the refund scheme, and find details of how to apply. Alternatively go to www.gov.uk and search 'deputyship fee refund'.
You can also contact the refund helpline by calling OPG on 0300 456 0300* and selecting option 6, although it’s best to apply online if you can. The scheme is open for three years so there’s plenty of time to apply.
*Lines are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm and Wednesday from 10am to 5pm. Visit https://www.gov.uk/call-charges for call charges.
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