For Carers
Understand your legal rights as a carer, powers of attorney, care funding, mental capacity and support for those you look after.
Common Problems
Your Rights
Your Rights as a Carer
Your legal rights as an unpaid carer in England & Wales, including carer's assessments, flexible working, and financial support.
Your Rights as a Parent
Your rights regarding your child's education, special educational needs, school admissions, and social services involvement.
Your Rights to Benefits and Welfare
Your rights to Universal Credit, PIP, and other benefits — eligibility, appeals, and sanctions.
Your Rights as a Mental Health Patient
Your rights when receiving mental health treatment, including under compulsory detention in hospital.
Key Legal Topics
Mental Health Law
Legal framework for the assessment, detention, and treatment of persons with mental disorders under the Mental Health Act 1983.
Court of Protection Law
Mental capacity, lasting powers of attorney, deputyship, best interests decisions, and welfare orders.
Social Welfare & Benefits Law
Universal Credit, disability benefits, benefit appeals, and social security tribunals.
Family Law
Marriage, divorce, child custody, adoption, and domestic abuse protection.
Useful Guides
Registering a Lasting Power of Attorney
How to create and register a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for health/welfare or property/financial affairs.
Registering a Lasting Power of Attorney
How to create and register an LPA so someone you trust can make decisions if you lose mental capacity.
Applying to the Mental Health Tribunal
How to apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Mental Health) for discharge from compulsory detention under the Mental Health Act 1983.
Challenging a Benefits Decision (Mandatory Reconsideration)
How to challenge a DWP decision on Universal Credit, PIP, or other benefits through mandatory reconsideration and tribunal appeal.
Appealing a Universal Credit Decision
How to challenge an incorrect Universal Credit decision through Mandatory Reconsideration and the Social Security Tribunal.
Applying for Legal Aid
How to check eligibility and apply for legal aid funding in civil and criminal cases in England & Wales.
Legal Tools & Calculators
Benefit Appeal Router
Find out whether to request a Mandatory Reconsideration or appeal directly to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber), with timelines and free representation options.
Legal Aid Eligibility Checker
Get a quick indicative assessment of whether you might qualify for civil or criminal legal aid in England & Wales based on your case type and financial circumstances.
When to Get Legal Advice
Carers dealing with Court of Protection proceedings or disputes about the care of a person lacking capacity should seek legal advice from a solicitor specialising in mental capacity and Court of Protection work. If a carer's own rights or benefits are being denied, a welfare rights adviser or Citizens Advice can assist. For Lasting Power of Attorney, acting while the person still has mental capacity is essential — do not delay.