The Court of Protection is a court established by the Mental Capacity Act 2005. “It is a specialist court which makes specific decisions or appoints other people known as deputies to make decisions on behalf of people who lack the capacity to do so for themselves.” After a Pilot in 2014-2017, the court’s Practice Directions were amended so as to make transparency the norm. Members of the public can attend these hearings, subject to reporting restrictions.
Practice Direction 4A – Hearings (including reporting restrictions)
Practice Direction 4C – Transparency
February 9th 2023 – Guidance for the Court of Protection: ‘Closed hearings’ and ‘closed material’
Observer resources
Resources, including guidance on how to observe a hearing in the Court of Protection, published by the Open Justice Court of Protection Project.
Courts and Tribunals Observers’ Network 