This practical book provides all professionals, particularly legal representatives, with an accessible and up-to-date guide to Mental Health Tribunals. It includes: a concise overview of the human rights and policy background analysis of the legal definition of mental disorder and use of compulsory powers a clear statement of the Tribunal powers applicable to offender and non-offender patients, unrestricted patients, and community patients a chronological account of the procedure and operation of the Tribunals an outline of the typical procedural steps for a patient's representative review of the public funding position. Uniquely, the authors explain where the law, rules and procedures differ between England and Wales, and the rules for each Tribunal are conveniently set out in comprehensive appendix materials. This book will be invaluable to those seeking accreditation or re-accreditation under the Law Society's Mental Health Accreditation Scheme.

Author Biography

Philip Fennell is a Professor of Law at Cardiff University. He was specialist legal adviser to Parliamentary Committees on the 2004 and 2006 Mental Health Bills. Philip has written widely on mental health law and also provides training for MHT members in England and Wales. Penny Letts is a policy consultant, trainer and member of the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council. She was formerly Law Society Policy Adviser on Mental Health and Disability, a specialist adviser to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Draft Mental Capacity Bill and a Mental Health Act Commissioner. Jonathan Wilson is a practising solicitor specializing in mental health and capacity law, and a member of the Law Society's Mental Health Accreditation Scheme. He also runs the Mental Health Law Online website and CPD programme.