BURDENS faced by families with missing loved ones will be eased after legislation to be unveiled today will pave the way for ‘Claudia’s Law’, named after the missing York chef.

The law will be named after Claudia Lawrence, who disappeared ten years ago, and creates a new legal status of ‘guardian of the affairs’ of a missing person, allowing families to act in their best interests after they have been gone for 90 days or longer.

Claudia’s Law comes into force at the end of July and is the result of campaigning by Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake, with the backing of Peter Lawrence OBE, Claudia’s father.

The legislation includes provision for those families to step in and safeguard their loved one’s assets in their absence, for example suspending direct debits for mobile phone and utility bills, or making mortgage payments.

Before Claudia’s Law, there has been no mechanism in England or Wales to specifically protect the property and affairs of a missing person.

Instead families could take over the financial affairs of a missing person if they declared them dead.

This added emotional pressure during an already difficult time and meant they were sometimes left unable to pay debts, or prevent repossessions or insolvency.

Officially known as the Guardianship (Missing Person’s) Act 2017, the new provision was introduced as a Private Members’ Bill by Mr Hollinrake and backed by Mr Lawrence, who has been tirelessly campaigning for the change since her disappearance, together with the charity Missing People and other families affected.

Mr Lawrence said: “This will make such a difference to the lives of the hundreds of families who have been waiting so long for it, enabling them to deal with their missing loved one’s financial and property affairs in the same way as everyone else is able to on a daily basis.

“One less burden at a time when families are at their emotional lowest ebb will help enormously.”

Families in England and Wales can apply to be a guardian following a number of statutory instruments being laid in Parliament today to bring forward provisions within the Act – with the new regulations coming into force on July 31.

Successful applicants for the guardian role will be able to look after their loved one’s affairs for up to four years with the option to renew. The scheme will be operated and supervised by the Office of the Public Guardian.

Susannah Drury, Missing People’s Director of Policy and Research, said the move was a ‘triumph’ for campaigners.