A Falmouth man has gone one better than following in his mother's footsteps. He's now her boss as the pair work to protect vulnerable elderly people from financial and sexual abuse.

Last summer Jenny Richards, a well-known figure as manager of Falmouth Citizens Advice Bureau for 20 years, became Cornwall's first elder client co-ordinator within a legal practice.

Now the elder client department of Falmouth solicitors Hine Downing has expanded again with the promotion of Jenny's son William, a 35-year-old specialist private client solicitor, as manager.

"I am sure we are going to get on absolutely fine," says William, an old boy of Falmouth School who began practising law when he joined C V Downing and Co, now part of Hine Downing, ten years ago.

"Sadly, there is a growing need for our services. Mum and I will be working very closely together; we see our role as the protection of elderly, vulnerable clients from various forms of abuse, with an increase in financial and sexual abuse in particular.

"We will be seeing more government initiatives in these areas and my job is to liaise with the local authorities, nursing homes and families to address their concerns and provide assistance."

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 became law on April 1, 2007, providing a statutory framework to empower and protect people who may lack capacity to make some decisions for themselves. The Act covers major decisions about someone's property and affairs, healthcare treatment and where the person lives, as well as everyday personal care.

Hine Downing is one of the first legal practices in the South West to have a dedicated elder client services department.