Supreme Court says it is 'essential' voices of elderly and wards of court are heard

The Supreme Court, in a significant judgment concerning the rights of a 96-year-old woman with dementia and of wards of court, has stressed it is “essential” the voices of such persons are heard.

The absence of legal aid for wardship cases is “of real concern" given the consequences of wardship and it may be necessary to appoint a court-appointed guardian to protect the interests of wards, Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley said.