About us
We help people who are vulnerable because of their lack of mental capacity or young age to take advantage of the services offered by the justice system. This helps them to avoid being socially excluded.
Who we are
We’re the combined office of the Official Solicitor to the Senior Courts and the Public Trustee – 2 separate, independent statutory office holders. We are around 135 staff who support their work, including lawyers and administrators. All are civil servants based in our offices in London.
Our responsibilities
We give administrative and operational support to the Official Solicitor to the Senior Courts and to the Public Trustee, who have separate duties.
The Official Solicitor acts:
- as a last resort litigation friend and in some cases solicitor, for children (other than those who are the subject of child welfare proceedings) and for adults who lack mental capacity
- on behalf of the Lord Chancellor in cases of international child abduction, through the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU)
- on behalf of the Lord Chancellor in cases of international maintenance claims through the Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders Unit (REMO)
The Public Trustee acts:
- as executor or administrator of last resort for estates, where the beneficiary is a vulnerable person
- as the title holder of an estate where there is no will or no named executor or executor with ability to act, until a grant of representation is given
- to manage the register of certain notices affecting land
- in relation to common land and undivided shares in land
Contact information
Email addresses for Official Solicitor and Public Trustee departments.
General enquiries
Email: enquiries@ospt.gov.uk
Civil Litigation
Email: os_civil_litigation@ospt.gov.uk
Corporate Services
Email: osptfinance@ospt.gov.uk
Court of Protection - Healthcare and Welfare
Email: oswelfarereferrals@ospt.gov.uk
Court of Protection - Property and Affairs
Email: OSPTSecretarialsupport@ospt.gov.uk
International Child Abduction Unit
Email: icacu@ospt.gov.uk
Private Law - Family and Divorce
Email: osinformation@ospt.gov.uk
Public Law - Family
Email: osinformation@ospt.gov.uk
Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders (REMO) EU and Non EU cases
Email: REMO@ospt.gov.uk
Trust and Deputy Services
Email: enquiries@ospt.gov.uk
Title on Death, Notice to Quit, NL1 referrals
Email: osptcontrolunit@ospt.gov.uk
Corporate information
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Jobs and contracts
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