‘The claimant is a restricted patient presently detained in Broadmoor Special Hospital under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 (the 1983 Act). She challenges the refusal of the defendants to fund the costs of a placement for her at the Edenfield Centre Medium Secure Unit in Manchester (Manchester). ‘ Citations: [2001] EWHC Admin … Continue reading F, Regina (on the Application Of) v Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust and Another: Admn 2 Jul 2001
Citations: [2005] EWHC 2791 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 37 41 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health, Crime Updated: 06 July 2022; Ref: scu.241530
Architects proposed a system of flexible drains for a site, but the contractors persuaded them to accept rigid drains which once laid proved inadequate at considerable cost. The local authority had permitted the departure from the plans. Held: The true question to found negligence was whether the particular defendant owed the particular plaintiff a duty … Continue reading Peabody Donation Fund v Sir Lindsay Parkinson and Co Ltd: HL 18 Oct 1983
Citations: [2003] EWHC 1182 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 3 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 07 June 2022; Ref: scu.185343
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
When assessing the release of a detained patient the tribunal must look at the ‘nature or degree’ of the illness disjunctively and not conjunctively. A person subject to a serious illness but without current symptoms might still be detained. Citations: Times 09-Dec-1998, [1998] EWHC Admin 832 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 72(1)(b)(I) Health … Continue reading Regina v Mental Health Review Tribunal for South Thames Region ex parte Anthony David Smith: Admn 4 Aug 1998
A discretionary life sentence should be reserved for the most exceptional circumstances, and for the most part for offenders who were incapable of being dealt with under the Mental Health Act 1959, ‘yet who are in a mental state which makes them dangerous to the life or limb of members of the public’ and in … Continue reading Regina v Wilkinson: CACD 1983
An application for the discharge of a mental patient under section 72, was to be based on the same criteria as would found the original decision to authorise detention under section 3. The criteria would mirror each other save that the burden of proof was reversed. It was correct to take account of the possibility … Continue reading Regina v London South West Region Mental Health Review Tribunal, Ex Parte Moyle: QBD 10 Feb 2000
The Court of Appeal issued habeas corpus because the applicant was committed to a mental institution pursuant to an application which was made by somebody who lacked the statutory authority to make it. The right of personal freedom is fundamental. In the mental health context, if someone is to be taken out of the community … Continue reading In re S-C (Mental Patient: Habeas Corpus): CA 22 Nov 1995
The Court was asked: ‘As: (i) a public body with obligations in public law and (ii) a public authority under the Human Rights Act 1998 can the Secretary of State for Health ‘the S/S’ lawfully refuse to refer a patient’s case to the First-tier Mental Health Review Tribunal ‘MHRT’ under section 67(1) of the Mental … Continue reading Modaresi, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Health: SC 24 Jul 2013
UTAA This appeal provides the first chance for the Upper Tribunal to consider the application of the decision of the Supreme Court in Surrey County Council v P [2014] AC 896 to guardianship under the Mental Health Act 1983. [2014] UKUT 475 (AAC) Bailii Mental Health Act 1983 England and Wales Health Updated: 23 December … Continue reading NL v Hampshire County Council (Mental Health : All): UTAA 21 Oct 2014
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The patient challenged the treatment given to him against his will as a detained mental patient. He said the opinion of the second doctor as required under the Act, had not been put into writing. Held: Following Wilkinson, which allowed a challenge to such decisions, it was inevitable that a written opinion would be required … Continue reading Wooder, Regina (on the Application of) v Feggetter and Dr Grah: CA 25 Apr 2002
Appeals against the imposition of a restriction order under section 41 of the Mental Health Act 1983 imposed in conjunction with a section 37 order under the same Act Citations: [2000] EWCA Crim 3539 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 30 November 2022; Ref: scu.331143
The deceased and the claimant lived together for about 10 years in an apparently stable and loving relationship. They had a son together. They also co-owned a house (by way of joint tenancy) in which they lived. In April 2013 the claimant was referred by his GP for a mental health assessment after describing feelings … Continue reading Chadwick v Collinson and Others: ChD 24 Sep 2014
The claimant sought leave to bring proceedings in respect of his detention under the 1983 Act. Judges: Eady J Citations: [2012] EWHC 1053 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 139 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health, Torts – Other Updated: 19 November 2022; Ref: scu.452977
The applicant was a discretionary life prisoner compulsorily detained in a mental hospital. His tariff had now expired. If not detained under the 1983 Act he would now be entitled to a review. He argued that there should be a joint hearing. Held: There is no necessary breach of the requirement of a speedy hearing … Continue reading P, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: Admn 11 Dec 2003
The parties had married, but the male partner was a transsexual, having been born female and having undergone treatment for Gender Identity Dysphoria. After IVF treatment, the couple had a child. As the marriage broke down the truth was revealed in court, but the plaintiff said that his wife had known the true position. He … Continue reading J v S T (Formerly J): CA 21 Nov 1996
The appellants challenged the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment imposed on them on their convictions for murder. They said it was an infringement of their Human Rights, being arbitrary and disproportionate. Held: The case followed on where the Anderson case left off. In these cases the judge had noted that he did not think the … Continue reading Regina v Lichniak: HL 25 Nov 2002
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
The court was asked which local authority had responsibility to provide support to a patient on his discharge after a period of detention under section 3 of the 1983 Act. Judges: Carnwath, Rimer, Sullivan LJJ Citations: [2011] EWCA Civ 77, [2011] BLGR 536, [2011] MHLR 76, [2011] Med LR 181, [2011] PTSR 1623, (2011) 119 … Continue reading Hertfordshire County Council, Regina (on The Application of) v JM: CA 15 Feb 2011
The various claimants sought to challenge the 2004 Act by way of judicial review on the grounds that it was ‘a disproportionate, unnecessary and illegitimate interference with their rights to choose how they conduct their lives, and with market freedoms protected by European law; and an unjust interference with economic rights.’ Held: ‘We have concluded … Continue reading Countryside Alliance and others v HM Attorney General and others: Admn 29 Jul 2005
The claimant council alleged that the defendant had acted to abuse its dominant market position in the provision of bus services in the city. Held: It was for the claimant to show that the defendant had a dominant position. It had not done so, and was mistaken in confining their analysis to the bus market. … Continue reading Chester City Council and Another v Arriva Plc and others: ChD 15 Jun 2007
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
The claimant said that he had been indirectly discriminated against on racial grounds. He was dismissed after being elected as a local councillor for the BNP. The employer considered that for Health and Safety reasons, his dismissal was necessary because of the upset and disturbance his continued employment would create with Asian co-workers and passengers. … Continue reading A C Redfearn v Serco Ltd T/A West Yorkshire Transport Service: EAT 27 Jul 2005
Application for permission to appeal against orders made dismissing the applicant’s challenge to her detention pursuant to section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Her case was that section 11(4) of that Act had not been complied with. Citations: [2002] EWCA Civ 1153 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 23 June 2022; … Continue reading Ganatra, Regina (on the Application Of) v London Borough of Ealing and others: CA 18 Jul 2002
A ten-year old boy had died from Addison’s disease. No inquest took place, because the coroner decided that the boy had died of natural causes. The parents, who were also affected by the events, had accepted compensation from the local health authority, and discontinued a claim for damages for negligence against the doctors, and a … Continue reading Powell v United Kingdom: ECHR 4 May 2000
The appellants challenged the legality under European law of orders under the Act restricting their freedom of movement, after suspicion of involvement in football violence. Held: Although the proceedings under which orders were made were civil, the standard of proof required was virtually that of a criminal court. Public policy could be used to justify … Continue reading Gough and Another v Chief Constable of Derbyshire: CA 20 Mar 2002
The Court was asked significant questions as to the procedure to be followed when a person is recalled by the Secretary of State to be detained in a hospital under the power conferred by section 42(3) of the Mental Health Act 1983. The Appellant contends that his recall was effected unlawfully, and that his subsequent … Continue reading Lee-Hirons, Regina (on The Application of) v The Secretary of State for Justice and Another: CA 1 May 2014
The patient was detained on the application of an AMHP. In purported pursuance of section 11(4) the AMHP had consulted the patient’s mother as her nearest relative. However, the patient’s mother was not ordinarily resident in the UK, and, according to the statutory definition of ‘nearest relative’, the AMHP ought to have consulted the patient’s … Continue reading Regina v Managers of South Western Hospital and Another, Ex Parte M: QBD 24 Mar 1993
The applicant was detained in an institution for mentally deranged offenders. While so detained he was subjected to the forcible administration of food and neuroleptics and to handcuffing to a security bed. He complained of violation of his Article 3 and 8 rights. One of his complaints was as to interference with his correspondence. Held: … Continue reading Herczegfalvy v Austria: ECHR 24 Sep 1992
Claim against defendants by family of murdered woman. Judges: Ouseley J Citations: [2018] EWHC 2538 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police Updated: 29 May 2022; Ref: scu.625541
The claimant sought damages for repudiation of a charterparty. The charterpary had been intended to continue until 2005. The charterer repudiated the contract and that repudiation was accepted, but before the arbitrator could set his award, the Iraq war broke out, under which the charterer could have terminated the charter as of right. The defendant … Continue reading Golden Strait Corporation v Nippon Yusen Kubishka Kaisha (‘The Golden Victory’): HL 28 Mar 2007
The court was asked: ‘whether the current approach to assessing the financial losses suffered by the dependant of a person who is wrongfully killed properly reflects the fundamental principle of full compensation, and if it does not whether we should depart from previous decisions of the House of Lords.’ Held: The correct date as at … Continue reading Knauer v Ministry of Justice: SC 24 Feb 2016
The respondent appealed against a finding that the provision which made a loan agreement completely invalid for lack of compliance with the 1974 Act was itself invalid under the Human Rights Act since it deprived the respondent lender of its property rights. It was also argued that it was not possible to make a declaration … Continue reading Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003
The claimant appealed after her claim for sex discrimination had failed. She had been dismissed from her position an associate minister of the church. The court had found that it had no jurisdiction, saying that her appointment was not an employment. However the jurisdiction in sex discrimination cases was wider, extending to those who ‘contract … Continue reading Percy v Church of Scotland Board of National Mission: HL 15 Dec 2005
The claimant’s husband had committed suicide. She sought damages for financial loss from his former employers under the 1976 Act. He had suffered a severe and debilitating injury working for them leading to his depression and suicide. The employers said that these damages were too remote. Held: The employer’s appeal was dismissed.Lord Bingham said: ‘Mr … Continue reading Corr v IBC Vehicles Ltd: HL 27 Feb 2008
The prisoner challenged the decision to place him in segregation under Prison Rule 43. Under rule 43(1) the initial power to segregate was given to ‘the governor’. The case arose from the fact that the governor of one prison had purported to authorise the segregation of a prisoner on his arrival at another prison to … Continue reading Regina v Deputy Governor of Parkhurst Prison, Ex parte Hague, Weldon v Home Office: HL 24 Jul 1991
Liability in Damages on Statute Breach to be Clear Damages were to be awarded against a Local Authority for breach of statutory duty in a care case only if the statute was clear that damages were capable of being awarded. in the ordinary case a breach of statutory duty does not, by itself, give rise … Continue reading X (Minors) v Bedfordshire County Council; M (A Minor) and Another v Newham London Borough Council; Etc: HL 29 Jun 1995
The 1987 Regulations provided additional benefits for disabled persons, but excluded from benefit those who had nowhere to sleep. The claimant said this was irrational. He had been receiving the disability premium to his benefits, but this was cancelled when he lost his home. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The disabilty premium, as part of … Continue reading RJM, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: HL 22 Oct 2008
Standing to Claim under A1P1 ECHR The appellants had written employers’ liability insurance policies. They appealed against rejection of their challenge to the 2009 Act which provided that asymptomatic pleural plaques, pleural thickening and asbestosis should constitute actionable harm for the purposes of an action of damages for personal injury. Held: The insurers’ appeals failed. … Continue reading AXA General Insurance Ltd and Others v Lord Advocate and Others: SC 12 Oct 2011
A person detained as a person of unsound mind should not be kept in a prison, but if the institution concerned is within the appropriate category, there is no breach of Article 5. While measures depriving a person of his liberty often involve an element of suffering or humiliation, it cannot be said that detention … Continue reading Aerts v Belgium: ECHR 30 Jul 1998
The Court had declared unlawful as ultra vires terrorism related orders made against the several claimants. The court now considered how restrictions imposed by banks should be dealt with. Held: (Lord Hope dissenting as to the order required) The Court could not lend itself to a procedure that is designed to obfuscate the effect of … Continue reading HM Treasury v Ahmed and Others: SC 4 Feb 2010
The Home Secretary may not later extend the tariff for a lifer, after it had been set by an earlier Home Secretary, merely to satisfy needs of retribution and deterrence: ‘A power conferred by Parliament in general terms is not to be taken to authorise the doing of acts by the donee of the power … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department, Ex Parte Pierson: HL 24 Jul 1997
UTAA Mental Health : All [2014] UKUT 410 (AAC) Bailii Mental Health Act 1983 3 England and Wales Health Updated: 23 December 2021; Ref: scu.539054
The court had ordered the defendant, before his trial for a serious assault, to be remitted to a mental hospital under section 35 of the 1983 Act, so that a report could be prepared as to his mental condition. The central issue would be his capacity to form the necessary intent. The defendant appealed saying … Continue reading M, Regina (on The Application of) v Kingston Crown Court: Admn 17 Jul 2014
Capacity for Litigation The claimant appealed against dismissal of his claims. He had earlier settled a claim for damages, but now sought to re-open it, and to claim in negligence against his former solicitors, saying that he had not had sufficient mental capacity at the time to accept the offer. Held: There is no definition … Continue reading Masterman-Lister v Brutton and Co, Jewell and Home Counties Dairies (No 1): CA 19 Dec 2002
That a mentally disturbed defendant may cause embarrassment by his behaviour in court was no reason for him not to be brought to court to be present when an order detaining him under the Act was to be made. The words of section 51(5) must be construed restrictively, and it was not to be applied … Continue reading Regina (Kenneally) v Snaresbrook Crown Court: Admn 27 Nov 2001
The prosecutor appealed a grant of a stay of a prosecution of the 13 year old defendant as an abuse of process. Reports had indicated that he was unfit to plead. The prosecution contended that, if the court thought P ought not to face trial by reason of his disability, it should proceed to decide … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service v P; Director of Public Prosecutions v P: Admn 27 Apr 2007
The applicant, a Pakistani national had entered the UK to act as a Muslim priest. The Home Secretary was satisfied that he was associated with a Muslim terrorist organisation, and refused indefinite leave to remain. The Home Secretary provided both open and closed statements to the tribunal. The open statement accepted that the organisation was … Continue reading Secretary of State for the Home Department v Rehman: HL 11 Oct 2001
The deceased had committed suicide on escaping from a mental hospital. The Trust appealed against a refusal to strike out the claim that that they had been negligent in having inadequate security. Held: The Trust’s appeal failed. The fact that she was detained for her own protection rather than to protect others required different standards … Continue reading Savage v South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MIND intervening): HL 10 Dec 2008
The case concerned a boy aged eight at the material time, both of whose parents had severe mental health problems. Very shortly after he had been returned to his mother’s care when she came out of hospital, she suffered a relapse and called an . .
The psychiatrist had been engaged by W’s solicitors to examine him and prepare a report to go to the Tribunal hearing an application for the transfer or conditional discharge of W from a secure unit. His report was damning. W withdrew the . .
The two prisoners, serving life sentences for murder, had had their appeals rejected. They continued to protest innocence, and sought to bring their campaigns to public attention through the press, having oral interviews with journalists without . .
References: [2000] MHLR 183 Coram: Jackson J The claimant was detained iin a secure mental hospital. He complained of being held in seclusion for a long period, and as to the hospital’s policy. Held: The hospital’s policy, by reducing the frequency of review of a patient’s seclusion below that provided for in the Code of … Continue reading Regina v Ashworth Special Hospital Trust, ex parte Munjaz; 10 Oct 2000
