Dr Brian Hunt

The government has committed to making changes to the online registration system for EPAs operated by the Decision Support Service (DSS), which has been widely criticised by solicitors since its introduction in 2023.

Dr Brian Hunt, director of policy at the Law Society, said he and others from the Society met with senior officials at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) and the DSS in September.

The meeting was “constructive” and DCDE officials “were open to hearing more about the Law Society’s perspective on the functionality required of a solicitors’ portal”, Dr Hunt said in an update circulated this week.

“Other positives to note from the meeting include an indication that the DSS has made some modifications to the portal.

“One such change includes the option for an applicant/donor to indicate that there is a solicitor on record and that correspondence should be directed at the solicitor.

“Since that meeting, the Law Society has hosted a workshop session with the DSS for a small number of practitioners to conduct a walk-through the EPA-making process on the DSS platform and identify opportunities for simplification.

“The Law Society is also developing high level proposals on the functionality required of a solicitors’ portal.

“We will also be formally requesting that a number of legislative changes be made in respect of key aspects of the EPA making process — such as the removal of the requirement that the attorneys be present at the same time, and changes to the current requirement to notify certain family members of the making of an EPA.”