Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Key definition
Options definition

What does Options mean? In legal practice, an option is a contractual right, not an obligation, to buy (a call) or sell (a put) an identified underlying (for example shares, commodities or currency) at an agreed strike price either on the expiry date (European-style) or at any time up to expiry (American-style). The holder pays an option premium for this right; key terms include the underlying and quantity, strike, expiry and the settlement method (physical delivery or cash settlement). Options are used to hedge risk, obtain price protection or leverage exposure, and are fundamental in derivatives, corporate finance and remuneration structures. The term is...

Read More Right Arrow

England: Local authority care home placements—preferred accommodation, charging and top-ups, property disregards, deferred payment agreements, CQC registration, and housing benefit for temporary or trial stays

Practice notes
imgtext

A local authority is under a duty to properly arrange a placement in an adult’s preferred accommodation for anyone assessed as having eligible care and support needs, provided specific qualifying conditions are satisfied. Where the authority does so, the adult may, following an assessment of their income and capital, have to contribute towards the overall ongoing placement costs. An individual can be accommodated in a setting that is a care home, whether either licensed or unlicensed. If an older or vulnerable person needs a high level of support from the local authority, a residential care home may be the most appropriate option.

Definition of a local authority care home

A local authority care home in England provides accommodation together with personal or nursing care, including emotional or psychiatric care, for people who:

  • are or have been ill
  • have or have had a mental disorder
  • are disabled or infirm
  • are or have been dependent on alcohol or drugs

Registration of care homes

Accommodation regarded as a care home must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in the name of the manager responsible for running it. Homes must meet the applicable national minimum standards and registration is only granted to...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.
Jonathan Auburn
Jonathan Auburn chambers

Jonathan has a large practice in all areas of community care law (adults and children), healthcare, mental health and mental capacity law for both local authorities and individuals. Jonathan is rated by Chambers and Partners as the leading ranked junior for community care work. He is also highly ranked for Administrative & Public Law, Local Government Law and Education Law. He has acted in the most important recent cases, including R (KM) v Cambridgeshire CC (Supreme Court) and Westminster CC v SL (Supreme Court). This year he brought successful challenges to the government’s administration of its new benefit, Personal Independence Payments, in R (C and W) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and to local authority charging policies, in R (KM) v Northamptonshire CC. Jonathan has also recently acted in reported cases on care home funding disputes, age...

Rebecca Handcock
Rebecca Handcock

Rebecca is regularly instructed by local authorities and persons lacking capacity (including through the Official Solicitor). Her cases often raise complex issues – including dealing with extreme hoarding cases, cases involving medical treatment, and cases involving contact with others including sexual contact.She is often instructed to deal with matters related to an individual’s deprivation of liberty, including challenges under section 21A of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Rebecca also has a busy Inquest and Inquiries practice, including large long-term projects such as the Covid Inquiry, in respect of which Rebecca has been instructed since 2022.Rebecca has experience being instructed by central and local government in matters which cover varied and often high profile subject matter, regularly attracting media attention. In her Inquest work, Rebecca regularly takes instructions in respect of Inquests where the subject matter overlaps with other areas of her practice (e.g. the deaths of those with...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Read More Right Arrow

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Read More Right Arrow

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Read More Right Arrow

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...

Read More Right Arrow