out in five principles which indicate how the term 'capacity' (implying in this context mental capacity) is to be interpreted: A person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that he lacks capacity. A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision unless all practicable steps to help him to do so have been taken without success. A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision merely because he makes an unwise decision. An act done, or decision made, under this Act for or on behalf of a person who lacks capacity must be done, or made, in his best interests. Before the act is done, or the decision is made, regard must be had to whether the purpose for which it is needed can be as effectively achieved in a way that is less restrictive of the person’s rights and freedom of action. The test so defined is 'decision-specific'. It can indicate an answer to the question 'Can he any longer use a gas ring safely when unsupervised?', but does not allow for wider questions to be given a firm yes/no answer when the real answer is that he has restricted capacity and so can deal with some aspects but not others. As stated in an official summary of the Act, it is 'a single clear test for assessing whether a person lacks capacity to take a particular decision at a particular time'. Creating an LPA From the point of view of someone who needs (or may potentially need) one or both LPAs, the Office of the Public Guardian is one of the first points of contact. To apply for a Lasting Power of Attorney, the donor has to fill in the application forms giving details for themselves, the attorneys and another person known as the certificate provider to witness that the decision has been made with the donor's understanding and agreement. An LPA cannot be created once the donor has lost capacity. A Lasting Power of Attorney is made by filling in a form in a prescribed manner, signed and witnessed in a prescribed order. There is a Web site which allows data to be filled in, and provides a filled-in form ready to be signed and witnessed in printable PDF format. Detailed instructions are provided for both types of LPA, 'Property and Financial Affairs' and 'Health