The Guardianship Tribunal’s role is to appoint substitute decision-makers for adults who have a decision-making disability.
In 2010/11 there were 7,313 applications filed in the Guardianship Tribunal of New South Wales (“the GT”). There were 8,963 matters finalised, 5,727 hearings and 14,388 enquiries.
The work dealt with by the Guardianship Tribunal is increasing and changing. 49% of all applications related to dementia patients. This trend will continue as the population grows older. If you have any questions or need advice about Guardianship Tribunals, please contact our estate planning lawyers.
What is the Role of the Guardianship Board & Tribunal?
The Guardianship Tribunal’s role is to appoint a person that can make decisions on behalf of adults who have a decision-making disability. Causes of decision-making disability include:
- Dementia
- Intellectual disability
- Mental illness
- Stroke
- Brain injury
In 2010, 88,000 people had dementia in NSW. By 2030, the number will be 188,000.
Learn more:
The Tribunal General makes 2 types of appointments.
- Guardianship: if a person can no longer make health, welfare, accommodation and for example end-of-life decisions.
- Financial management: if a person is not capable of making financial decisions.
The appointments are made on the basis that the person has not made an Enduring Power of Attorney or Enduring Guardianship appointment and has lost the capacity to do so.
43% of the applications to the Tribunal involve guardianship, 63% are appointed to the Public Guardian NSW. 47% of applications involve financial management, 55% are appointed to the NSW Trustee & Guardian.
The Guardianship Tribunal & Enduring Powers of Attorney
The Guardianship Tribunal also has the power to review Enduring Powers of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship appointments. These reviews may arise in circumstances where a person acting under Power of Attorney or Enduring Guardianship is not acting in the best interests of the person who has given the power.
The Guardianship Tribunal, in hearing these applications, can appoint a guardian, a private financial manager, or it can appoint the NSW Trustee or The Public Guardian to take control, meaning the family of the person with the disability may be excluded from the future management of that person.
Legal representation at the Guardianship Tribunal is not permitted without the permission of the Tribunal. In 2009/10 only 2.8% of applications were permitted legal representation.
How to appeal Guardianship Tribunal orders
So what happens if you appear as a party at the tribunal and you are not satisfied with the orders made by them?
Perhaps you feel that you were not given a fair hearing, or that another party was taken more notice of putting in their side of the story. Given that nearly half of the matters dealt with by the Guardianship Tribunal relate to a person’s finances and property, it is very likely there will be dissatisfaction with some decisions.
Can a guardianship order be appealed?
There is an opportunity to lodge an appeal or an application for review in the Administrative Decisions Tribunal of New South Wales (“the ADT”). The most common ground for appeal is on the basis of procedural fairness. For example, when you believe you have not been given a fair or proper opportunity to be heard or to put your story to the Guardianship Tribunal, you can then appeal to the Administrative Decisions Tribunal.
In addition to being able to review decisions of the Guardianship Tribunal, the Administrative Decisions Tribunal can also review decisions of the NSW Trustee and Guardian (“the NSWTG”) and the Public Guardian (“the PG”) who may have the management of the person and whose decisions you may wish to challenge. You may wish to appeal a decision, for example, to sell your parent’s family home to fund aged care fees.
When can you appeal?
Appeals must be lodged within 28 days after the decision-maker provides the party with written reasons. There are circumstances when this time limit can be extended. You can have the benefit of legal representation at the Administrative Decisions Tribunal to assist you and appear for you.
Trust the team at Owen Hodge Lawyers
Our estate planning team have had years of experience in this area of elder law. We are able to advise and represent you at the ADT. We are also here to answer any of your questions about NSW guardianship, the guardianship board and mental health tribunals NSW. Please contact us to get the legal advice you need. Our wills and estate lawyers can also assist you if you need help making a Will.
Further information about Wills & estates:
Wills & Estate team
Frequently asked questions
- If the person is unable to take care of themselves
- The person is a minor
There may also be additional factors, please speak to your estate planning lawyer about guardianship applications.
Generally, your guardian makes decisions about your accommodation, medical care and services in the event you are no longer capable of doing so.
If a person has a limited decision making capacity due to a disability, they need someone to make decisions on their behalf such as health care, medical intervention, housing or access to services.