Mental capacity assessments should normally be completed in person, but it may be appropriate to carry out the assessment remotely if, for example, it is not possible to visit the person. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 must underpin assessments. Most deprivation of liberty safeguards assessments should be face to face in order to, for example, meet any communication needs of the person. An important principle of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 is that it must be assumed that the person has capacity unless it is established that they lack capacity. Assuming capacity, however, should not be used as a reason for not assessing capacity in relation to a decision. There should always be an assessment where there is a proper reason to doubt a person’s capacity to make a decision.