Debenhams Ottaway appointed to Court of Protection professional deputies panel

We’re delighted to share that the Court of Protection team at Debenhams Ottaway has recently been appointed to the Court of Protection panel of professional deputies for the South East.

Debenhams Ottaway is the only firm in Hertfordshire to be included on the panel, and the only firm based in St Albans with a dedicated Court of Protection team – placing us among a small number of specialist practices across Hertfordshire and the surrounding counties.

The appointment comes at an exciting time for the team, following their recent shortlisting at the British Wills and Probate Awards 2025, as well as a series of speaking opportunities that highlighted the team’s expertise and growing profile in this specialist area of law.

The panel is made up of pre-approved professional deputies who can be appointed by the Court of Protection to manage the finances and affairs of people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves. Panel deputies are typically appointed where there is no suitable family member or friend available, or where cases involve particularly complex finances or sensitive family dynamics.

Partner and head of the team, Rachel Hyndman, comments: “Being selected for the panel is a mark of both technical excellence and trust. I’m incredibly proud of the whole team. This appointment recognises not just our legal expertise, but the care and commitment we show to some of the most vulnerable people in society. We work hard to make sure every decision we make is genuinely in our clients’ best interests, and it’s wonderful to see that approach recognised at a regional level.”

With more than 45 years of combined experience, the team brings a depth of knowledge that few firms can match. They are well known for their ability to secure personal welfare deputyships, which are notoriously difficult to obtain due to the high legal threshold involved.

Rachel added: “We’re a small, specialist team by choice. That means we really get to know our clients and can respond quickly when important decisions need to be made. Being appointed to the South East panel is a huge honour, and it reinforces everything we believe in as a team.”

The panel appointment further cements Debenhams Ottaway’s reputation as one of the region’s leading firms in Court of Protection work, and starts 2026 with another important milestone as the team looks forward to another year of success.