What we do

The Office of the Public Guardian in Scotland was created when the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 received Royal Assent.

We have a general function to:

• Maintain a public register of powers of attorney that have been registered, guardianship and intervention orders granted and authorisations granted under the access to funds scheme.
• register powers of attorney that are to begin or continue in the event of incapacity.
• supervise those individuals who have been appointed to manage the financial and property affairs of adults who lack the capacity to do so for themselves.
• investigate circumstances made known to us where the property or finances belonging to an incapable adult appear to be at risk.