Form 55A - Capacity Application Notice: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015

What this form is for

• • Use when you need court orders for decision-making support
• • Use when informal arrangements aren't working
• • Use when specific decisions need court oversight
• • Use when applying for a decision-making representative
• • Use when challenging an existing capacity assessment
• • Use when the High Court or Circuit Court needs to intervene

Use this form or another form?

Deadline or filing window

There are no strict deadlines for submitting this form, but applications should be made as soon as they're needed to address capacity concerns. Court processing times may vary, so allow sufficient time before any urgent decisions need to be made.

Before you submit

• • Verify all personal details are correct
• • Include current medical evidence about capacity
• • Specify exactly which decisions are in question
• • Confirm you've notified all relevant parties
• • Check court jurisdiction matches your application type
• • Ensure all signatures are present and dated
• • Include the correct filing fee if applicable

How to file this form

1. 1Obtain the latest version of Form 55A from the Courts Service website
2. 2Complete all sections with accurate information
3. 3Gather supporting medical evidence and documentation
4. 4Determine the appropriate court jurisdiction for your application
5. 5Submit the completed form to the relevant court office
6. 6Pay any required fees
7. 7Keep a copy of your submission for records

Known limitations

• • This form cannot be used for emergency situations requiring immediate intervention
• • It doesn't replace the need for proper medical assessments
• • The form may not be suitable for all types of capacity matters
• • Court decisions based on this form may be appealed
• • The form doesn't guarantee specific outcomes from the court