39 Essex Chambers' Barristers Francesca Gardner and Ian Brownhill demystify the legal framework in respect of financial abuse. Francesca and Ian explain what the statutory definition of financial abuse is and how the statutory language includes matters which are criminal offences.

Francesca and Ian clarify that financial abuse isn’t just something that happens within families but can include people who are in positions of trust, even lawyers who are providing services. They shed light on the fact that there is no monetary threshold before something is considered financial abuse.

Having explained what financial abuse is, the barristers set out to provide a practical explanation of various different legal concepts from attorneys, deputies, appointees and what next of kin actually means.

Francesca and Ian talk about how capacity assessments in respect of property and affairs ought to be completed, duties when financial abuse is identified and the role of the Public Guardian.