Number of adults benefiting from a public or mixed representation measure by cause of incapacity and gender on 31 March of each year since 2007
The opening of a representation measure is ordered by the court when an adult person is unable to take care of himself or manage his property and needs to be represented in the exercise of his civil rights. One or more persons are then appointed to represent it. When a relative can represent a person with an incapacity, this is a measure of private representation (for example, private guardianship, protection mandate). When it is impossible for a relative to represent the incapacitated person, the Public Curator may be appointed as part of a measure of public representation (for example, public guardianship).
The main causes of incapacity are intellectual disability, mental disorders, degenerative diseases and head injuries.