.. Capacity refers to the client's ability to reason, make decisions and consider choices, express views and receive and understand information. The law assumes that people have capacity unless a doctor's assessment shows that a person lacks capacity. People lacking capacity or who have such profound communication difficulties that they cannot tell an advocate what they want in life then they are additionally marginalized and therefore have a greater need for independent advocacy. The role of the advocate in such a situation would involve gathering as much information about the person and their past and present wishes (if appropriate) as they can. this may be from family, friends, care staff and other people involved in that persons life. It
