A challenge was made to will for the alleged lack of capacity of the testatrix who was said to have Alzheimers. The executrix was said to have destroyed hidden evidence. Held: The 2005 Act had restated the law on capacity in Banks, but had shifted the burden of proof. However in this case the common … Continue reading Scammell and Another v Farmer: ChD 22 May 2008
Judges: His Honour Judge Burrows Citations: [2022] EWCOP 12 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 16 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 31 December 2022; Ref: scu.675301
The plaintiffs instructed the defendant to make tools for the manufacture of leather punches in accordance with drawings which the plaintiffs provided to the defendant for this purpose. The defendant used the drawings to make tools, and the tools to make leather punches, on their own account. The finished product (i.e. the leather punches) were … Continue reading Saltman Engineering Co v Campbell Engineering Co Ltd: CA 1948
Lack of capacity to consent to surgery Judges: Mr Justice Hayden Citations: [2020] EWCOP 6 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 09 December 2022; Ref: scu.650601
Application had been made to register as a town or village green an area of land which was largely a boggy marsh. The local authority resisted the application wanting to use the land instead for housing. It then rejected advice it received from a non-statutory enquiry, and sought a declaration from the court as to … Continue reading Oxfordshire County Council v Oxford City Council and others: HL 24 May 2006
The claimant sought to unravel a settlement she had made as receiver for her late husband, saying that it had been made without consideration of its Inheritance Tax implications. The Revenue said that there was no operative mistake so as to allow the rule in Hastings-Bass to apply allowing the variation. Held: For the rule … Continue reading Pitt and Another v Holt and Another: ChD 18 Jan 2010
For civil patients, it matters a great deal whether the classification of their condition is ‘severe subnormality’ or just ‘subnormality’ or whether it is ‘mental illness’ or ‘psychopathic disorder’. Lawton LJ discussed the construction of the phrase ‘mental illness’: ‘The answer in my judgment is to be found in the advice which Lord Reid gave … Continue reading W v L: CA 1974
It had been decided that PC, a 43 year old woman, had capacity to marry, but the LA now argued that she did not have the capacity to decide to live with her partner, a man who had old convictions for serious sexual assault. Held: Decisions as to the existence of capacity was always specific … Continue reading PC and Another v City of York Council: CA 1 May 2013
Whether a procedural mistake might lead to the need for a venire de novo. Citations: [2005] EWCA Crim 3556 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Norman, Regina v CACD 31-Jul-2008 The defendant suffered a degenerative disease affecting his mental capacity, and at trial the issue of his fitness to plead arose. Held: Where … Continue reading Regina v Hussein: CACD 16 Dec 2005
Judges: Mrs Justice Lieven DBE Citations: [2021] EWCOP 44 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 15 16, Mental Health Act 1983 29(3) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 04 December 2022; Ref: scu.668181
Judges: Her Honour Judge Hilder Citations: [2022] EWCOP 42 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 A1 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health, Human Rights Updated: 30 November 2022; Ref: scu.683486
Judges: Mrs Justice Morgan Citations: [2022] EWCOP 43 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 16 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 30 November 2022; Ref: scu.683485
No Judicial Review of Decisions of Private Body Despite the wide range of its powers, the disciplinary committee of the Jockey Club remains a domestic tribunal. Judicial review is not available to a member. The relationship is in contract between the club and its member. Sir Thomas Bingham MR said: ‘No serious racecourse management, owner, … Continue reading Regina v Disciplinary Committee of the Jockey Club, ex parte Aga Khan: CA 4 Dec 1992
Practice – Court of Protection – Serious medical treatment – When necessary to seek court authorisation for treatment – Guidance on procedure to be followed – Mental Capacity Act 2005 (c 9), ss 5, 6, 15, 16 Judges: Hayden J Citations: [2020] EWCOP 2, [2020] 1 WLR 641, [2020] WLR(D) 30 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: … Continue reading Serious Medical Treatment, Guidance: CoP 17 Jan 2020
Citations: [2019] EWCOP 35 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 24 November 2022; Ref: scu.642842
Judges: Mrs Justice Knowles Citations: [2020] EWCOP 20 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 22 November 2022; Ref: scu.650613
‘This is an urgent application made on behalf of BP who is 83 years of age. BP was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in December 2018. He is deaf but is able to communicate through a ‘communication board’. Today’s emergency application, brought by BP’s litigation friend, his daughter FP, seeks to achieve his discharge from the … Continue reading BP v Surrey County Council and Another: CoP 25 Mar 2020
Sunderland City Council seeks section 15 (ibid.) declarations in relation to AS’s capacity to make a range of relevant decisions, and (subject to my determination on capacity) various best interests’ determinations; it further seeks authority to deprive AS of his liberty at his accommodation and in the community. Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Cobb Citations: … Continue reading Sunderland City Council v AS and Others: CoP 20 Mar 2020
Judges: Mr Justice Hayden Citations: [2020] EWCOP 3 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: See Also – QJ v A Local Authority and Another CoP 29-Jan-2020 . . Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete. Health Updated: 22 November 2022; Ref: scu.650596
Judges: Mr Justice Mostyn Citations: [2020] EWCOP 1, [2020] WLR(D) 44 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 22 November 2022; Ref: scu.650593
Judges: District Judge Sarah Ellington Citations: [2019] EWCOP 31 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 22 November 2022; Ref: scu.642841
Citations: 39187/98, [2002] ECHR 157, [2002] 38 EHRR 314, (2004) 38 EHRR 17, [2002] MHLR 209 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights 5(1) Jurisdiction: Human Rights Cited by: Cited – Austin and Another v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis HL 28-Jan-2009 Movement retsriction was not Liberty Deprivation The claimants had been … Continue reading HM v Switzerland: ECHR 26 Feb 2002
The claimant, ‘S’, claimed damages for his alleged unlawful immigration detention in Corby Police Station and Colnbrook and Harmondsworth IRCs between 3 December 2011 and 21 March 2012 and for the alleged series of significant breaches by the defendant, of the policies relating to immigration detention, the detaining of those suffering from serious mental illness … Continue reading S, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: Admn 28 Jan 2014
The claimant sought damages. He was severely autistic needing one to one support. On a familiarisation visit to a swimming pool he became transfixed by the water. A pool lifeguard was told not to touch him, but his carers were unable to distract him, and the pool management called the police as he became agitated. … Continue reading ZH v The Commissioner of Police for The Metropolis: QBD 14 Mar 2012
(Extra Division, Inner House) The reclaimers, Roman Catholic midwives working on a labour ward as co-ordinators, sought to assert a right of conscientious objection under the 1967 Act. The respondents said that only those directly involved in the termination of a pregnancy could assert such a right. Held: The midwives’ appeal succeeded. The Act set … Continue reading Doogan and Another v NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board: SCS 24 Apr 2013
The parties disputed the restriction imposed on the patient LDV who lacked capacity. Judges: Baker J Citations: [2013] EWHC 272 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Health Updated: 17 November 2022; Ref: scu.472576
The patient, a 68 year old man did not have mental capacity to make decisions as to his treatment. The family and hospital had long-standing disagreements about his care. The hospital now sought an order to allow his non-resuscitation in the event of a serious further deterioration of specified sorts. He now suffered cancer of … Continue reading An NHS Trust v DJ and Others: CoP 6 Dec 2012
The patient had been found to lack capacity to litigate and make decisions as to his medical treatment. The Hospital appealed against rejection of its request for a declaration that it would be lawful to withhold treatment in the case of clinical deterioration, in particular the making of a ‘Do not attempt to Resuscitate’ instruction. … Continue reading Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v James and Others: CA 1 Mar 2013
Mary (not her real name) is a 31 year old woman with a learning disability associated with a history of social and functional skills impairment and significant cognitive impairments. The Court considered her capacity and whether Mary is a vulnerable adult in respect of whom the court should consider making orders to protect her pursuant … Continue reading Leicester City Council v MPZ: CoP 29 Nov 2019
Capacity of PWK to consent to deprivation of liberty. Judges: Sir Mark Hedley Citations: [2019] EWCOP 57 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 16 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Agency Updated: 13 November 2022; Ref: scu.682757
The claimant sought judicial review of the decisions by the respondent as to the care of his late wife, particularly as to the use of ‘ Do Not Attempt Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation’ orders. Judges: Nicola Davies DBE J Citations: [2012] EWHC 3670 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 37, Mental Capacity Act 2005 (Independent … Continue reading Tracey, Regina (on The Application of) v Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation and Others: Admn 19 Dec 2012
Bodey J set out the test of capacity as to whether a woman of low intelligence could herself decide whether to use contraception. The test for capacity to be applied to ascertain a woman’s ability to understand and weigh up the immediate medical issues surrounding contraceptive treatment includes consideration of: (a) the reason for contraception … Continue reading A Local Authority v A and Another: CoP 24 Jun 2010
A request was made for a statutory will. Held: The 2005 Act marked a radical departure from previous practice. A decision made on behalf of a protected person must be made in his best interests. That was not (necessarily) the same as inquiring what the protected person would have decided if he or she had … Continue reading In re P (Statutory Will): ChD 9 Feb 2009
The Court considered the legal test to be applied by the Court of Protection when considering an application for an injunction. Judges: Lord Justice Baker Lord Justice Phillips And Lord Justice Nugee Citations: [2022] EWCA Civ 1312 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Litigation Practice Updated: 23 October 2022; Ref: … Continue reading Re G, (Court of Protection: Injunction): CA 11 Oct 2022
X suffered both severe anorexia and alcoholism. She had in the past been repeatedly and compulsorily admitted to hospital for treatment, but her doctors considered that whilst this might be life extending treatment it had proved ineffective and unethical. They sought a declaration that they may not be obliged to offer the treatment again. The … Continue reading A NHS Foundation Trust v Ms X (By Her Litigation Friend, The Official Solicitor): CoP 8 Oct 2014
Judges: The Hon Mrs Justice Judd Citations: [2022] EWCOP 35 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Education, Health Updated: 13 October 2022; Ref: scu.681579
Citations: [2021] EWCOP 16 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 12 October 2022; Ref: scu.659238
Reasons for interim order Judges: Sir Mark Potter Citations: [2008] EWHC 1403 (Fam), [2008] Fam Law 996, [2009] 1 FCR 567, [2008] 2 FLR 1196, (2008) 11 CCL Rep 563 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 11 October 2022; Ref: scu.278553
Judges: Newey J Citations: [2012] EWHC 347 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Health Updated: 05 October 2022; Ref: scu.452180
ECJ The court considered the measure of compensation in a successful claim for sex discrimination arising from the health authority’s provision of an earlier compulsory retirement age for women compared with that for men in the same employment. The health authority paid her the maximum sum of pounds 6,250 which was then permitted as compensation … Continue reading M H Marshall v Southampton And South West Hampshire Area Health Authority (Teaching): ECJ 26 Feb 1986
Judges: Mr Justice Hayden VP CoP Citations: [2021] EWCOP 14 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 15 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 13 September 2022; Ref: scu.659240
Citations: [2018] EWCA Crim 2743 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 44(1)(b) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 12 September 2022; Ref: scu.631191
Where a trustee acts under a discretion given to him by the terms of the trust the court will interfere with his action if it is clear that he would not have so acted as he did had he not failed to take into account considerations which he ought to have taken into account. The … Continue reading Mettoy Pension Trustees v Evans: ChD 1990
The claimant alleged complicity by the defendant, (now former) Foreign Secretary, in his mistreatment by the US while held in Libya. He also alleged involvement in his unlawful abduction and removal to Libya, from which had had fled for political persecution. The defendants now appealed from rejection of the defendants’ claim to state immunity and … Continue reading Belhaj and Another v Straw and Others: SC 17 Jan 2017
E Was born with and still suffered severe learning difficulties. The court was asked as to the extent of his capacity to make decisions, and as to where he should live, with a family member, the carer or with the local authority, which had removed him from her care. As he had become an adult, … Continue reading G v E and Others: CoP 26 Mar 2010
Judges: Baker J Citations: [2010] EWHC 2042 (Fam), [2010] MHLR 407 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 2007 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 03 September 2022; Ref: scu.430382
Citations: [2010] EWHC 785 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 03 September 2022; Ref: scu.430380
The appellant sisters, both with substantial learing disabilities appealed against a declaration that the arrangements made for their care by the respondent did not amount to a deprivation of their liberty. In either case, they would only be allowed to leave their residence under escort of a competent adult. Held: The appeals failed. Judges: Mummery, … Continue reading P and Q v Surrey County Council: CA 28 Feb 2011
The 15 year old defendant appealed his conviction on the basis of recklessness, challenging, unsuccessfully, the rule in Caldwell. Held: Because recklessness was to be judged by the standard of the reasonable prudent man, expert evidence of the defendant’s capacity to foresee the risks which would arise from his setting fire to hay in a … Continue reading Regina v Coles: CACD 1995
E, now aged 19, suffered a genetic disorder leading to severe learning disability and lack of mental capacity. He had been in the care of his sister, the appellant, but had been removed by the local authority when his behaviour became disturbed. G, his sister sought an order for his return to F, his carer … Continue reading G v E and Others: CA 16 Jul 2010
The court was asked whether and if so, on what basis a Court considering an application for a care order in respect of a young person with lifelong disabilities should transfer the case to the Court of Protection to be dealt with under the Mental Capacity Act, 2005, rather than the Children Act, 1989. Judges: … Continue reading B (A Local Authority) v RM and Others: FD 15 Oct 2010
The defendant appealed his conviction of sexual activity with a person wth a mental disorder. He said that the victim had consented. The court had said that her consent was vitiated by virtue of her mental disorder. Held: For mental disorder or incapacity to found such a prosecution, the lack of capacity had to be … Continue reading Regina v C (Mental disorder: Sexual activity): CACD 23 May 2008
Charlotte Wyatt was born prematurely, and depended for day to day her life on medical support. Her doctors asked to be permitted not to resuscitate her again if she needed it. Her parents asked that she be given whatever chance was available for her to live. Held: ‘On the basis of the unanimous medical evidence … Continue reading Portsmouth NHS Trust v Wyatt and others: FD 7 Oct 2004
Criminality of Assisting Suicide not Infringing The court was asked: ‘whether the present state of the law of England and Wales relating to assisting suicide infringes the European Convention on Human Rights, and whether the code published by the Director of Public Prosecutions relating to prosecutions of those who are alleged to have assisted a … Continue reading Nicklinson and Another, Regina (on The Application of): SC 25 Jun 2014
Twins were conjoined (Siamese). Medically, both could not survive, and one was dependent upon the vital organs of the other. Doctors applied for permission to separate the twins which would be followed by the inevitable death of one of them. The parents, devout Roman Catholics, resisted. Held: The parents’ views were subject to the overriding … Continue reading In Re A (Minors) (Conjoined Twins: Medical Treatment); aka In re A (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation): CA 22 Sep 2000
Procedures on Withdrawal of Life Support Treatment The patient had been severely injured in the Hillsborough disaster, and had come to be in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). The doctors sought permission to withdraw medical treatment. The Official Solicitor appealed against an order of the Court of Appeal permitting the action. Held: The appeal failed. … Continue reading Airedale NHS Trust v Bland: HL 4 Feb 1993
Judges: Charles J Citations: [2013] EWHC 4289 (COP) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 03 August 2022; Ref: scu.520814
An application was made for a statutory will for the patient. The court considered how it should approach competing suggestions as to the provisions to be included. Held: The 2005 Act had changed the basis for such wills fundamentally. The court must decide what is objectively in the patient’s best interests, and not what the … Continue reading NT v FS and Others: CoP 26 Mar 2013
The House was asked whether a patient detained for treatment under the 1983 Act can be treated against his will for any mental disorder from which he is suffering or only for the particular form of mental disorder from which he is classified as suffering for the purpose of the order or application authorising his … Continue reading B, Regina (on the Application of) v Ashworth Hospital Authority: HL 17 Mar 2005
Application for order under the 2005 Act restricting contact between the young adult child with disabilities and his family. Eleanor King J described his condition saying he had: ‘severe learning and physical disabilities together with autism and an uncommon epileptic condition resulting in frequent seizures and risk of sudden death. A nurse has to be … Continue reading ACCG and Another v MN and Others: CoP 20 Nov 2013
The court may determine a case summarily of its own motion, but their power ‘must be exercised appropriately and with a modicum of restraint’. Judges: Horowitz QC Citations: (2009) 12 CCL Rep 671, [2010] Fam Law 244, [2010] WTLR 69, [2009] EW Misc 7 (EWCOP), [2010] 1 FLR 1393 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act … Continue reading KD and Another v London Borough of Havering: CoP 19 Oct 2009
Judges: Her Honour Judge Marshall QC Citations: [2009] EWHC B30 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 48 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 25 July 2022; Ref: scu.381749
JE, wife of DE, who had been taken into residential care by the Local authority, said that the authority had infringed his Article 5 and 8 rights on transferring him between homes. The authority asserted that he did not have mental capacity. She asserted that his retention in care was an unlawful detention. Judges: Munby … Continue reading Re DE, JE v DE, Surrey County Council and EW: FD 29 Dec 2006
The applicant sought an order restraining publication by the defendants of material, saying she did not have capacity to consent to the publication. She suffered a multiple personality disorder. She did herself however clearly wish the film to be broadcast, and she wished to criticise her care. Held: An injunction was refused. ‘If Pamela has … Continue reading E v Channel Four, News International Ltd and St Helens Borough Council: FD 1 Jun 2005
Judges: Hayden J Citations: [2016] EWCOP 34 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Litigation Practice, Media Updated: 19 July 2022; Ref: scu.566558
Morgan J did not think it a relevant consideration when setting the terms of a statutory will under the 2005 Act, that the patient should be remembered for having done the right thing. Under the new arrangements of the Act, the making of the gift and/or the terms of the will are not being made … Continue reading Re G(TJ): 2011
Citations: [2011] EWHC 3321 (COP) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 19 July 2022; Ref: scu.452489
The adult patient TB suffered both physical and mental delusional disabilities. The carers felt that community support and treatment having failed, only intensive residential reatment would help. She resisted this proposed detention. Held: The court considered its powers under the 1983 and the 2005 Act, and ‘if by operation of section 16A (2) (b) above … Continue reading W Primary Care Trust v TB and Others: Fd 17 Jul 2009
Inherent High Court power may restrain Publicity The claimant child’s mother was to be tried for the murder of his brother by poisoning with salt. It was feared that the publicity which would normally attend a trial, would be damaging to S, and an application was made for reporting restrictions to be applied to avoid … Continue reading In re S (a Child) (Identification: Restrictions on Publication): HL 28 Oct 2004
Presumption in Favour of Open Proceedings There had been an unauthorised dissemination by the petitioner to third parties of the official shorthand writer’s notes of a nullity suit which had been heard in camera. An application was made for a committal for contempt. Held: The House equated the contempt to a breach of an injunction … Continue reading Scott v Scott: HL 5 May 1913
Judges: McCombe, King, Peter Jackson LJJ Citations: [2019] EWCA Civ 1215, [2019] WLR(D) 390 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Abortion Act 1967, Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 13 July 2022; Ref: scu.639658
The House considered claims that the 2002 Act, which set out to make unawful the hunting of wild mammals with dogs unlawful, infringed the claimants’ human rights, in that it contravened international treaties requiring the support for traditional practices and cultures. Held: Any interference with the appellants article 11 rights was justified. The Act was … Continue reading Whaley and Another v Lord Advocate: HL 28 Nov 2007
The claimant was a young epileptic and autistic adult. On a supervised trip to a swimming pool, he became fascinated by the water, and the pool staff called the police. Through the police misunderstanding his needs, he ended up first in the water and then being forcibly restrained. The commissioner now appealed against the findings … Continue reading Commissioner of Police for The Metropolis v ZH: CA 14 Feb 2013
The court considered a request for a statutory will under the 2005 Act. Held: the Court of Protection has no jurisdiction to rule on the validity of any will. However, Munby J made three points: (1) that the 2005 Act laid down no hierarchy as between the various factors listed in section 4 which had … Continue reading In re M; ITW v Z and Others (Statutory Will): FD 12 Oct 2009
The Court considered the factors relevant to making the determinations of capacity which are under challenge and as to the approach to assessment of capacity when the absence of capacity to make a particular decision would conflict with a conclusion that there is capacity to make some other decision. Judges: Sir Terence Etherton MR, Lady … Continue reading B v A Local Authority: CA 11 Jun 2019
Appeal against an order refusing to grant a writ of habeas corpus in respect a person who lacks capacity to make relevant decisions for himself within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and who was at all material times detained under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983 Judges: Lord Justice Ryder … Continue reading K v The Hospital Managers of The Kingswood Centre and Another: CA 23 Oct 2014
Whether Lasting Power of Attorney validly witnessed Judges: Hilder J Citations: [2019] EWCOP 13 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Agency Updated: 03 July 2022; Ref: scu.637307
Judges: Lieven DBE J Citations: [2019] EWCOP 10 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 03 July 2022; Ref: scu.637301
Citations: [2019] EWCOP 17 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 03 July 2022; Ref: scu.637309
Assessment of damages following child abuse by Catholic priest. Held: General damages of andpound;50,000 were in line with Coxon and were approved. A had not been shown to be, and is not, incapable of managing his affairs. The court differed from the conclusion of the Court of Protection. Damages should be awarded on the basis … Continue reading A v The Archbishop of Birmingham: QBD 30 Jun 2005
Whether patent has capacity to decide living arrangements. Judges: Hilder HHJ Citations: [2019] EWCOP 8 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 30 June 2022; Ref: scu.637303
Determination of care of AJ Judges: Hilder HHJ Citations: [2018] EWCOP 44 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 30 June 2022; Ref: scu.637306
Judges: Baker LJ Citations: [2019] EWCOP 9 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 30 June 2022; Ref: scu.637300
Each defendant appealed against convictions associated variously with the cultivation or possession of cannabis resin. They sought to plead medical necessity. There had been medical recommendations to move cannabis to the list of drugs which might be prescribed by a doctor, but this had been rejected. Held: The appeals failed. There was no over-arching principle … Continue reading Quayle and others v Regina, Attorney General’s Reference (No. 2 of 2004): CACD 27 May 2005
Hospital’s application for declaration of lack of capacity in a patient. Judges: Francis J Citations: [2019] EWCOP 7 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 29 June 2022; Ref: scu.637298
Capacity To Conduct Proceedings Citations: [2019] EWCOP 14 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health, Litigation Practice Updated: 29 June 2022; Ref: scu.637308
The customer challenged a series of pawn agreements. The broker appealed the finding that the contracts were invalid, on the basis that the judgment had created an unjust enrichment. Held: The appeal failed: ‘in pawn transactions the debtor is particularly at risk because there is nothing to stop the pawnbroker selling the security in order … Continue reading Penelope Wilson v Howard (Pawnbrokers) Ltd: CA 4 Feb 2005
The patient had a history of self harming leading to dangerously low haemoglobin levels. She knew that if she refused a blood transfusion she might die; nevertheless she believed that her blood was evil and that the healthy blood given her in a transfusion became contaminated and thus increased the volume of evil blood in … Continue reading NHS Trust v T (adult patient: refusal of medical treatment): FD 28 May 2004
The defendant suffered a degenerative disease affecting his mental capacity, and at trial the issue of his fitness to plead arose. Held: Where the issue of unfitness arose it was necessary for the court to exercise very careful case management ensuring that it was supplied with proper information and acted quickly. In this case the … Continue reading Norman, Regina v: CACD 31 Jul 2008
Proceedings before the Mental Health Review Tribnal had been very nearly all held in private. The patient, Ian Brady sought to have his hearing in public. Held: Beatson J approved the Tribunal’s reasons forfind that their privacy rules were a proper and proportionate departure from the principle of open justice and thus compatible with article … Continue reading Mersey Care NHS Trust, Regina (on the Application of) v Mental Health Review Tribunal and others: Admn 22 Jul 2004
Under the Ciivil Procedure Rules, experts have acquired greater responsibilities to the court. Those responsibilities transcend their perceived obligations to the parties whom they give evidence. Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Peter Smith Citations: [2004] EWHC 1887 (Ch) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Masterman-Lister v Brutton and Co, Jewell and Home … Continue reading Phillips, Harland (Administrators of the Estate of Michailidis), Papadimitriou; Symes (A Bankrupt), Robin Symes Limited (In Administrative Receivership), Domercq etc: ChD 30 Jul 2004
The LA sought to protect an elderly couple, one without capacity from their adult son who was said to be bullying them. The court was faced with questions as to its continued inherent jurisdiction to act in a situation not covered by the 2005 Act. Held: The court’s inherent jurisdictions survived the Act. Judges: Maurice … Continue reading DL v A Local Authority and Others: CA 28 Mar 2012
The defendant had been sentenced for offences of violence, but an additional period was imposed to protect the public. He had been refused leave for reconsideration of that part of his sentence after he completed the normal segment of his sentence. He wanted a consideration which would parallel the new won rights of review for … Continue reading Giles, Regina (on the Application of) v Parole Board and Another: HL 31 Jul 2003
Citations: [2013] EWHC 3456 (COP), [2013] EWCOP 3456 Links: Bailii, Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Human Rights, Health Updated: 07 June 2022; Ref: scu.524709
The claimant was a mental patient under compulsory detention, and complained that he had been subjected to periods of seclusion. Held: The appeal succeeded. The hospital had failed to follow the appropriate Code of Practice. The Code was not obligatory, but following it would generally ensure that a patient’s rights were not infringed. It recognised … Continue reading Munjaz v Mersey Care National Health Service Trust And the Secretary of State for Health, the National Association for Mental Health (Mind) Respondent interested;: CA 16 Jul 2003
The court considered the direction to be given as to the existence of provocation so as to reduce a charge of murder to one of manslaughter. The reasonable man in the definition should be one with the defendant’s mental condition. ‘The judge should state what the question is using the very terms of the section. … Continue reading Regina (Director of Public Prosecutions) v Camplin: HL 1978
Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Hayden Vice President of the Court of Protection Citations: [2022] EWCOP 18 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Capacity Act 2005 16 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health, Agency Updated: 07 June 2022; Ref: scu.678129
The applicant, a suspected Mafioso, had been detained in custody pending his trial. At the end of the maximum period of detention pending trial, he had been taken to an island where, he complained, he was unable to work, keep his family permanently with him, practise the Catholic religion or ensure his son’s education. Held: … Continue reading Guzzardi v Italy: ECHR 6 Nov 1980
The applicant was an adult autistic, unable to consent to medical treatment. Treatment was provided at a day centre. He had been detained informally under the Act and against the wishes of his carers, but the Court of Appeal decided he should have been formally detained. Held: The appeal succeeded. His detention had not been … Continue reading In Re L (By His Next Friend GE); Regina v Bournewood Community and Mental Health NHS Trust, Ex Parte L: HL 25 Jun 1998
A young prisoner was known to be at risk of suicide, but nevertheless was not provided with adequate specialist medical supervision. He was punished for an offence, by way of segregation which further put him at risk. Held: Inhuman and degrading treatment had to achieve a certain standard of seriousness before it became an infringement, … Continue reading Keenan v The United Kingdom: ECHR 3 Apr 2001