ABSTRACT Lawyers are increasingly called upon to deal with older clients and have ethical responsibilities to attest to their capacity for legal decision-making. As witnesses to enduring documents, the making of wills and other significant advance planning transactions, lawyers play a role in preventing elder abuse and in upholding the rights of older people. To date however, there has been very little empirical research examining how lawyers assess an older person’s legal decision-making capacity. This article presents research examining three years of capacity complaints made to the New South Wales Office of Legal Services Commissioner. Four case studies from the complaint files expose some common failings in the way that lawyers interact with older clients who have experienced cognitive impairment. The process of capacity assessment is viewed through the theoretical lens of vulnerability to highlight how the actions of lawyers and regulators can exacerbate the inherent and situational vulnerability of older people with a cognitive impairment. The author argues that improvements in capacity guidelines, legal education and robust enforcement of ethical rules are required to safeguard the rights of older clients and help prevent abuse. The findings will have implications for lawyers and regulators everywhere dealing with an ageing population.

中文翻译：

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“他穿着便装，而不是睡衣”：律师评估弱势老年客户法律行为能力时的常见错误

摘要 越来越多的律师被要求与年长的客户打交道，并负有道德责任来证明他们的法律决策能力。作为持久文件、遗嘱制定和其他重要预先规划交易的见证人，律师在防止虐待老人和维护老年人权利方面发挥着作用。然而，迄今为止，很少有实证研究检验律师如何评估老年人的法律决策能力。本文介绍了一项研究，审查了向新南威尔士州法律服务专员办公室提出的三年能力投诉。投诉文件中的四个案例研究揭示了律师与有认知障碍的老年客户互动方式中的一些常见缺陷。通过脆弱性的理论视角来看待能力评估过程，以突出律师和监管者的行为如何加剧有认知障碍的老年人的内在脆弱性和情境脆弱性。作者认为，需要改进能力指南、法律教育和道德规则的有力执行，以保护老年客户的权利并帮助防止虐待。调查结果将对各地处理人口老龄化问题的律师和监管机构产生影响。需要进行法律教育和严格执行道德规则，以保护老年客户的权利并帮助防止虐待。调查结果将对各地处理人口老龄化问题的律师和监管机构产生影响。需要进行法律教育和严格执行道德规则，以保护老年客户的权利并帮助防止虐待。调查结果将对各地处理人口老龄化问题的律师和监管机构产生影响。