Successful Review of Guardianship and Administration Decision in Western Australia

Success in Guardianship and Administration Act Review

We recently acted for the applicants in a review of a decision made under the Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 (WA). You can read the full decision here.

The applicants, MD and DM, applied for a review of a decision made by a single member of the Tribunal, Member Conley, on 6 September 2022.

In the original decision, Member Conley declared that the represented person (NA) was unable to make reasonable judgments in respect of matters relating to her estate, person, and health and safety, and therefore needed an administrator of her estate and a guardian. The Tribunal then made orders revoking the enduring powers of attorney and guardianship in place and appointed the Public Trustee as plenary administrator and the Public Advocate as limited guardian.

On our clients behalf, we then applied for a review by the Full Tribunal.

After reviewing the case, the Full Tribunal decided to revoke the original orders and reinstate the enduring power of guardianship and power of attorney in favour of MD and DM.

In relation to guardianship, the Full Tribunal found that NA was unable to make decisions regarding her own health and safety and needed oversight, care, and control. However, the Full Tribunal also found that a less restrictive means was available in the form of an enduring power of guardianship (EPG) previously made by the individual. As a result, the Full Tribunal revoked the orders appointing a limited guardian and reinstated the EPG, naming two of the individual's daughters as joint guardians.

In relation to administration, the Full Tribunal found that NA’s vascular dementia rendered her unable to make reasonable judgments in relation to matters concerning her estate, but that the appointment of an administrator was not necessary as the less restrictive option of the enduring power of attorney in favour of MD and DM was available.

We are proud to have been able to assist MD and DM. A job well-done by Isaac Priddis, who appeared for our clients at the hearing.

If you would like to hire a lawyer to act on your behalf in a guardianship matter, please don't hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to discuss your options and how I can assist you.

I acted in 30 separate such matters in 2022 alone and offer a specialist service.