Capacity assessments for requests to restore legal competence

We argue that acceptance of competence as decision-specific, together with a resultant likely increase in limited guardianship orders, will lead to an increase in requests for restoration of legal competence by those under such orders. Six central issues facing the assessor of capacity/competence in the restoration of legal competence are discussed. Suggestions are made as to how these issues can be addressed in forming a clinical judgement. The profile of 17 cases where there was a request to restore legal competence is reviewed.