Change in Doctors’ Information Obligations The pursuer claimed that her obstetrician had been negligent, after her son suffered severe injury at birth. The baby faced a birth with shoulder dystocia – the inability of the shoulders to pass through the pelvis. The consultant considered that a vaginal birth was preferable and did not given advice … Continue reading Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board: SC 11 Mar 2015
The court observed, in passing, that ‘there are situations where the wishes of a person with impaired mental facilities may be validly replaced by those of another person acting in the context of a protective measure and that it is sometimes difficult to ascertain the true wishes or preferences of the person concerned’ Citations: 36760/06, … Continue reading Stanev v Bulgaria: ECHR 17 Jan 2012
The defendant appealed his conviction of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm. He was made subject to a hospital order without limit of time under sections 37 and 41 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Judges: Lord Justice Latham (Vice President of the Court of Appeal Criminal Division) Mr Justice Royce Mr Justice … Continue reading Johnson, Regina v: CACD 9 Jul 2007
The House decided that section 73 of the 1983 Act provided a two-stage process in relation to a patient’s conditional discharge. The tribunal first decides that it will direct the discharge subject to conditions, but defers giving the direction so that arrangements may be made to enable the patient to comply with the conditions. The … Continue reading Regina v Oxford Regional Mental Health Review Tribunal, Ex parte Secretary of State for the Home Department (Campbell’s Case): HL 1988
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
Appeal by two public authorities against a refusal to strike out the claimant’s claim as an abuse of process. The principal point of law which arises for decision is whether (following O’Reilly v Mackman [1983] 2 AC 237) the claimant was entitled to proceed under Part 7 of the Civil Procedure Rules rather than by … Continue reading Richards v Worcestershire County Council and Another: CA 12 Dec 2017
The Court was asked whether a person who has been compulsorily detained in a hospital for mental disorder under section 3 of the 1983 Act and has then been released from detention but still requires ‘after-care services’ is entitled to require his local authority to provide such services at any time before he has exhausted … Continue reading Tinsley v Manchester City Council and Others: CA 1 Nov 2017
The claimant appealed against rejection of his request for release from liability to be detained for medical treatment. Judges: Arden, McCombe, Sales LJJ Citations: [2017] EWCA Civ 436 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983, European Convention of Human Rights 5 8 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health, Human Rights Updated: 27 March 2022; Ref: scu.588320
The claimant had spent his childhood in foster care, and now claimed damages against a local authority for decisions made and not made during that period. The judge’s decision to strike out the claim had been upheld by the Court of Appeal. Held: An adult formerly in the care of a local authority as a … Continue reading Barrett v London Borough of Enfield: HL 17 Jun 1999
The plaintiff bought her apartment, but discovered later that the foundations were defective. The local authority had supervised the compliance with Building Regulations whilst it was being built, but had failed to spot the fault. The authority appealed a finding that it was liable, arguing that the claims were time barred and that it had … Continue reading Anns and Others v Merton London Borough Council: HL 12 May 1977
Parents of children had falsely and negligently been accused of abusing their children. The children sought damages for negligence against the doctors or social workers who had made the statements supporting the actions taken. The House was asked if the suffering of psychiatric injury by the parent was a foreseeable result of making it and … Continue reading JD v East Berkshire Community Health NHS Trust and others: HL 21 Apr 2005
Her GP and a consultant gynaecologist had recommended a termination for a pregnant, severely mentally handicapped 26 year old woman. Following Re F, her father sought a formal declaration of the court was required before any termination. Held: Termination of a pregnancy was already closely regulated by statute which provided ‘fully adequate safeguards for doctors … Continue reading Re SG (adult mental patient: abortion): FD 1991
The claimant said that he as unlawfully detained in an Immigration Removal Centre pending removal from the United Kingdom and, once he was definitively declared unfit to fly, detained for an unreasonably long period of time before eventual transfer to a psychiatric unit. Judges: Green J Citations: [2017] EWHC 196 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental … Continue reading ASK v The Secretary of State for The Home Department: Admn 9 Feb 2017
The deceased was shot by police officers raiding his flat in 1998. The claimants sought damages for his estate. They had succeeded in claiming damages for false imprisonment, but now appealed dismissal of their claim for damages for assault and misfeasance. The judge below had accepted that the officer had acted in self-defence, and entered … Continue reading Ashley and Another v Sussex Police: CA 27 Jul 2006
[2003] EWCA Crim 1052 Bailii Mental Health Act of 1983 37 England and Wales Crime Updated: 20 January 2022; Ref: scu.346295
(Northern Ireland) The deceased solicitor was murdered in his home in 1989, allegedly by loyalists. They had never been identified, though collusion between security forces and a loyalist paramilitary was established. The ECHR and a judge led inquiry had said that a proper investigation was required. A promised inquiry under the 2005 Act was objected … Continue reading Finucane, Re Application for Judicial Review: SC 27 Feb 2019
The appellant was detained under section 37 of the 1983 Act as a mental patient with a restriction under section 41. He sought his release. Held: The standard of proof in such applications remained the balance of probabilities, but that standard was flexible, and varied according to the seriousness of the allegation. The only misdirection … Continue reading AN, Regina (on the Application of) v Mental Health Review Tribunal (Northern Region) and others: CA 21 Dec 2005
The appellant failed asylum seeker had been detained for three years pending deportation. She suffered a mental illness, and during her detention the medical advice that her condition could be coped with in the detention centre changed, recommending treatment in the community. She said that the Francis case was wrongly decided. Held: Her appeal failed. … Continue reading O, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 27 Apr 2016
The claimant appealed against an order striking out his claim in negligence. He had leaped from a window in a suicide attempt. The accommodation was provided by the defendant whilst caring for him under the 1983 Act. Held: The case should be allowed to go ahead. Though the common law tort of negligence is still … Continue reading K v Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust and Another: QBD 30 May 2008
L was adult autistic. He had been admitted to mental hospital for fear of his self-harming behaviours, and detained informally. He complained that that detention was unlawful. Held: The continued detention of a mental health patient who is incapable of giving consent is unlawful in the absence of the hospital following the statutory procedures. Owen … Continue reading L v Bournewood Community and Mental Health NHS Trust: Admn 9 Oct 1997
PH had severe physical and learning disabilities and was without speech, lacking capacity to decide for himself where to live. Since the age of four he received accommodation and support at public expense. Until his majority in December 2004, he was living with foster parents in South Gloucestershire. He then lived in two care homes … Continue reading Cornwall Council, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Health and Somerset County Council: SC 8 Jul 2015
The patient had been detained, and then secluded within the mental hospital for 11 days. He claimed to have been subjected to inhuman treatment, and false imprisonment. Held: His claim failed. The policy allowed the authority to confine him to a locked room under supervision for the protection of others. The fact of seclusion did … Continue reading S v Airedale National Health Service Trust: QBD 22 Aug 2002
A patient detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) may be released from compulsory detention in hospital subject to a community treatment order. The question arising on this appeal is whether a patient’s responsible clinician (may impose conditions in a CTO which amount to the deprivation of his liberty within the meaning of article … Continue reading Welsh Ministers v PJ: SC 17 Dec 2018
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
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
dispute about which of two local authorities should pay for care services, in this case after-care services pursuant to s.117(3) of the Mental Health Act 1983 Lord Justice Coulson, Lady Justice Carr, And, Lord Justice William Davis [2021] EWCA Civ 1957 Bailii, Judiciary England and Wales Health, Local Government Updated: 28 December 2021; Ref: scu.670716
Power of FTT to deprive patient of liberty Two patients who had been confined to a secure hospital, appealed against orders which would continue to restrict their liberty upon being conditionally released. The parties now disputed the jurisdiction of the FTT to make such an order. Held: The orders made by the UT were set … Continue reading The Secretary of State for Justice v MM: CA 29 Mar 2017
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
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
Appeal from dismissal of claim for professional negligence [2003] EWCA Civ 878 Bailii Mental Health Act 1983 3 England and Wales Professional Negligence, Health Updated: 16 December 2021; Ref: scu.330943
A mother sought to challenge guidelines issued by the respondent which would allow doctors to protect the confidentiality of women under 16 who came to them for assistance even though the sexual activities they might engage in would be unlawful. Held: A person under 16 who was otherwise competent was entitled to seek medical assistance, … Continue reading Axon, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Health and Another: Admn 23 Jan 2006
There had been a trial of 35 days regarding rights of way over land, which had proved fruitless, and where some orders had been made without jurisdiction. The result had been inconclusive. The costs order was now appealed, the plaintiff complaining that the judge had failed to take into account an offer of settlement made … Continue reading Cutts v Head and Another: CA 7 Dec 1983
The appellant Khera’s father had obtained leave to settle in the UK. The appellant obtained leave to join him, but did not disclose that he had married. After his entry his wife in turn sought to join him. The appellant was detained as an illegal immigrant. Held: The term ‘illegal immigrant’ included anyone entering unlawfully. … Continue reading Khera v Secretary of State for The Home Department; Khawaja v Secretary of State for The Home Department: HL 10 Feb 1983
The court considered the duties falling on a social worker applying for a patient to be admitted. Arden, Aikens Clarke LJJ [2014] EWCA Civ 362, 138 BMLR 66, (2014) 17 CCL Rep 264, [2014] 1 WLR 3665, [2014] WLR(D) 145, (2014) 138 BMLR 66 Bailii, WLRD European Convention on Human Rights 5, Mental Health Act … Continue reading TW v Enfield Borough Council: CA 27 Mar 2014
The court considered the narrow but important question in this appeal concerns the requirements of the common law principles of procedural fairness in cases where a convicted offender is detained under section 37 as mentally ill and is being considered for transfer from conditions of medium security to conditions of high security. Moses, Patten, Beatson … Continue reading L, Regina (on The Application of) v West London Mental Health NHS Trust and Others: CA 29 Jan 2014
The Court considered the meaning of ‘discharge’ from a mental health hospital. Elias J held that it meant ‘discharge from detention in hospital’, so that there could be a discharge on condition of residence in another hospital: but he also held that the crucial question was whether the conditions amounted to detention, which was not … Continue reading Secretary of State for the Home Department, Regina (on the Application of) v Mental Health Review Tribunal: Admn 20 May 2002
A Dutch national detained in hospital complained that his detention had divested him of his capacity to administer his property, and thus there had been determination of his civil rights and obligations without the guarantee of a judicial procedure. Held: Article 5(1)(a) is concerned with the question whether the detention is permissible. Its object and … Continue reading Winterwerp v The Netherlands: ECHR 24 Oct 1979
the interpretation of section 73(2) (and section 42(2)) may depend, in part at least, on what is meant by ‘discharge’. Held: Mann J said that it meant ‘discharge from hospital’, so that a condition could not be imposed that the patient reside in another hospital, even if not under conditions of detention. Mann J [1986] … Continue reading Secretary of State for the Home Department v Mental Health Review Tribunal for Mersey Regional Health Authority: Admn 1986
Whether the 1983 Act, and in particular its provisions governing the conditional discharge and deferral of conditional discharge of ‘restricted patients’, are compatible with Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights. [2001] EWHC Admin 1037 Bailii Mental Health Act 1983, European Convention on Human Rights England and Wales Citing: Appealed to – Regina … Continue reading Regina (on the Application IH) v Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and Others: Admn 5 Dec 2001
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 court was asked, whether asked to grant possession against a disabled tenant where the grounds for possession were mandatory. The defendant was a secure tenant with a history of psychiatric disability. He had set out to buy his flat, but the council sought possession when it discovered that he had sublet. Held: Section 23(3)(c) … Continue reading London Borough of Lewisham v Malcolm and Disability Rights Commission: CA 25 Jul 2007
False Prospectus – Issuers liable in Deceit The directors of a company issued a prospectus, falsely stating that the proceeds were to be used to complete alterations to the buildings of the company, to purchase horses and vans and to develop the trade of the company. In fact it was to pay off pressing liabilities. … Continue reading Edgington v Fitzmaurice: CA 7 Mar 1885
The applicants had been made subject of anti-social behaviour orders. They challenged the basis upon which the orders had been made. Held: The orders had no identifiable consequences which would make the process a criminal one. Civil standards of evidence therefore applied, and hearsay evidence was admissible. Nevertheless, the test as to whether it was … Continue reading Clingham (formerly C (a minor)) v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; Regina v Crown Court at Manchester Ex parte McCann and Others: HL 17 Oct 2002
Unlawful Detention pending Deportation An offender had been recommended for deportation following conviction. He had served his sentence and would otherwise have been released on parole. He had no passport and no valid travel documents. He complained that the length of time for which he had then been detained was too long and that the … Continue reading Regina v Governor of Durham Prison, ex parte Hardial Singh: QBD 13 Dec 1983
The plaintiff had killed someone and, as a result, been convicted of manslaughter and ordered to be detained in a secure hospital when subject to after-care under section 117 of the 1983 Act. He sought damages from the health authority on the basis that he would not have killed anyone but for negligence on the … Continue reading Clunis (By his Next Friend Prince) v Camden and Islington Health Authority: CA 5 Dec 1997
The appellants said that the 2004 Act infringed their rights under articles 8 11 and 14 and Art 1 of protocol 1. Held: Article 8 protected the right to private and family life. Its purpose was to protect individuals from unjustified intrusion by state agents into the private sphere within which they expected to be … Continue reading Countryside Alliance and others, Regina (on the Application of) v Attorney General and Another: HL 28 Nov 2007
The appellant was serving a life sentence for terrorist offences. He complained that he should have been released under the 1998 Act. It was said he would be a danger to the public if released. On pre-release home leave he was involved in a seriously violent incident, and it was found that he continued to … Continue reading McClean, Re: HL 7 Jul 2005
The claimants appealed against the imposition on them of smoking bans while they were compulsorily detained at Rampton Hospital. They said that other persons detained for example in prisons had been exempted fully. Held: The right or freedom to smoke does not engage article 8(1) of the Convention. The appeal failed: ‘We reject the argument … Continue reading N, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Health; Regina (E) v Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust: CA 24 Jul 2009
Employment Tribunals to Provide Sufficient Reasons Tribunals, when giving their decisions, are required to do no more than to make clear their findings of fact and to answer any question of law raised. Bingham LJ said: ‘It has on a number of occasions been made plain that the decision of an Industrial Tribunal is not … Continue reading Meek v City of Birmingham District Council: CA 18 Feb 1987
The court considered a procedural filter which prevented the bringing of a claim relating to the exercise of powers under the 1983 Act without the leave of the court.
Held: ‘The Court notes at the outset that the Applicant pursued his . .
The patient was detained under the Act. The Mental Health Tribunal decided he should be released. The hospital disagreed. The patient continued to reside to the Hospital voluntarily, but the hospital viewed the decision to release him as . .
A mental patient sought damages for assault from a nurse. The nurse replied that the proceedings were a nullity since the patient had not first obtained permission to commence proceedings.
Held: Lord Widgery CJ said: ‘Although no point was . .
The applicant was a male nurse at Broadmoor Special Hospital. He was on duty while patients were saying goodbye to visitors. He approached the detained patient telling him to ‘come on’ and allegedly punched him on the shoulder. The patient brought . .
. .
Application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus ad Subjiciendum directed to the hospital managers of the defendant. The application relates to the detention of the claimant since 30 January 2008 at the Cygnet Wing Blackheath purportedly authorised under . .
The plaintiff sought damages following the death of her husband when working for the defendant. The limitation period expired on Saturday 5 September 1970. The writ was issued on the Monday following.
Held: The appeal succeeded. The writ was . .
This appeal, from an order dismissing the Appellant’s claim for judicial review, raises a short but important point as to the effect of a hospital order made under section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983: does such an order cease to have effect if . .
(The Health Committee of the GMC) The appellant challenged a decision of the respondent extending his suspension from the register for a further twelve months. He had been suspended against a finding that he did not have an appropriate insight into . .
The parties considered the propriety of a sterilisation of a woman who was, through mental incapacity, unable to give her consent.
Held: The appeal succeeded, and the operation would be lawful if the doctor considered it to be in the best . .
Where a patient lacks capacity, there is the power to provide him with whatever treatment or care is necessary in his own best interests. Medical treatment can be undertaken in an emergency even if, through a lack of capacity, no consent had been . .
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 parties had engaged in a bitter 95 day trial in which allegations of forgery, theft, false accounting, blackmail and arson. A company owning patents and other rights had become insolvent, and the real concern was the destination and ownership of . .
The appellant, detained for assessment under section 2, was too disabled to make an application to the court on her own behalf. After a dispute between her mother and the medical officer over her treatment, an application was made to the county . .
Challenge to refusal to accept claimant in to guardianship. . .
A person who is liable to be detained in a hospital by virtue of an application or order under that Act may either be actually detained or given leave of absence. While on leave of absence it may well be that the patient’s disorder is not such that . .
. .
References: 60 L Ed 2d 323, 60 L Ed 323, 99 SCt 1804, 441 US 418 Links: Worldlii Coram: Burger CJ (US Supreme Court) To commit an individual to a mental institution in civil proceedings, the state was required by the ‘due process’ clause of the US Constitution to prove by clear and convincing evidence … Continue reading Addington v Texas; 30 Apr 1979
1267 – 1278 – 1285 – 1297 – 1361 – 1449 – 1491 – 1533 – 1677 – 1688 – 1689 – 1700 – 1706 – 1710 – 1730 – 1737 – 1738 – 1751 – 1774 – 1792 – 1793 – 1804 – 1814 – 1819 – 1824 – 1828 – 1831 – 1832 … Continue reading Acts
A mental health review tribunal had recommended the conditional release of the applicant, a restricted patient in a high security hospital. A community social worker’s report was only later made available to the tribunal. Held: There was no need for the matter to go to the Secretary of State for him to order a fresh … Continue reading Regina (C) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 15 May 2002
The applicant was a restricted mental patient. His conditional release had been ordered, but required a consultant psychiatrist to be found who would agree to supervise him. None such could be found, and his detention continued. After two years he contended that his continued detention infringed his human rights. Held: Campbell’s case required s73 to … Continue reading Regina (IH) v Secretary of State for the Home Department and Another: CA 15 May 2002
Appeal against refusal of order to remove restrictions imposed under the 1983 Act. Judges: Sedley, Moses, Sullivan LLJ Citations: [2010] EWCA Civ 1273 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 7 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 26 August 2022; Ref: scu.425948
Citations: [2004] EWHC 2691 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 7 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health, Magistrates Updated: 27 June 2022; Ref: scu.219927
The applicant had been a discretionary life prisoner. His minimum period of detention had passed, but he continued to be detained under a transfer order for his treatment as mental health patient. Held: The absence of any means for him to challenge his continued detention infringed his rights. Had the Mental Health Review Tribunal decided … Continue reading Regina (D) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: QBD 19 Dec 2002
Mental health – ‘This case raises one issue: is the nature of the risk posed by a patient detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 relevant to the appropriateness of treatment under section 72(1)(b)(iia) of that Act?’ . .
The complainant requested information from the Chief Constable of Essex Police (‘Essex Police’) relating to employees training on mental health and Essex Police’s powers under the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA). By the date of this notice Essex Police had not issued a substantive response to this request. The Commissioner’s decision is that Essex Police … Continue reading Chief Constable of Essex Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 18 Nov 2021
Judges: Keehan J Citations: [2019] EWCOP 43 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 09 December 2022; Ref: scu.642837
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
Citations: [2005] EWHC 1366 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 37 41 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 07 December 2022; Ref: scu.228313
The Court was asked: ‘Whether a person detained under a provision of the Mental Health Act is, as a matter of public policy or otherwise, prevented from paying for his own care/treatment?’ The claimant had fallen from an ambulance, suffering brain injury leading to his being held in hospital, and the anser to the question … Continue reading North Dorset NHS Primary Care Trust and Another v Coombs: CA 30 Apr 2013
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
Citations: [2008] EWCA Civ 176, [2009] 1 WLR 310, (2008) 101 BMLR 83, [2008] UKHRR 847 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health, Human Rights Updated: 27 November 2022; Ref: scu.266160
The applicant had been detained after a diagnosis of Bipolar Affective Disorder and convictions for rape. He had applied for discharge, but before the hearing the doctor had said he no longer opposed his release. After the hearing but before being released the detention was re-instated, and the patient again complained at proposals to treat … Continue reading B, Regina (on the Application Of) v SS (Responsible Medical Officer) and others: CA 26 Jan 2006
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
After conviction of manslaughter with diminished responsibility, the defendant now argued that the imposition of an extended sentence of imprisonment with a hospital direction under section 45A was wrong in principle, contrary, as it was, to the unanimous view of the psychiatrists involved in his case that the appropriate sentence was a hospital order under … Continue reading Westwood, Regina v: CACD 6 May 2020
The claimant complained of his recall to hospital. He had in 1991 been foundf not guilty of murder by reason of his insanity, and had been detained in a secure hospital, but then released conditionally. He said the recall on medical grounds was improper where the condition now complained of was not that under which … Continue reading Regina on the Application of A l v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 20 Jan 2005
The issue that arises in this case concerns non-compliant incapacitated patients, that is those who are not willing to be admitted and do not have the capacity to consent to admission, to psychiatric hospitals pending the making of an application for their compulsory admission to hospital for assessment under section 2 Mental Health Act 1983 … Continue reading Sessay, Regina (on The Application of) v South London and Maudsley Nhs Foundation Trust and Another: QBD 13 Oct 2011
Appeal against the imposition of the restriction order Judges: Mr Justice Nelson Citations: [2002] EWCA Crim 1698 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 37 41 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 19 November 2022; Ref: scu.175256
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
Each claimant sought damages after being exposed to asbestos dust. The defendants resisted saying that the injury alleged, the development of pleural plaques, was yet insufficient as damage to found a claim. Held: (Smith LJ dissenting) The defendants appeals succeeded. The claimants had three possible claims, none of which on their own would amount to … Continue reading Rothwell v Chemical and Insulating Co Ltd and Another: CA 26 Jan 2006
The claimants sought damages from the defendant local authority after their identities had been wrongfully revealed to the natural parents of the adoptees leading to a claimed campaign of harassment. The adopters has specifically requested that their names and address be not revealed, but they details were let slip in a case conference. Both parties … Continue reading B and B v A County Council: CA 21 Nov 2006
Judges: Elias, Field JJ, Barry QC Citations: [2012] EWCA Crim 99 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 41 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 14 November 2022; Ref: scu.471584
Judges: Sir John Thomas, Moore-Bick, Rimer LJJ Citations: [2013] EWCA Civ 96 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 14 November 2022; Ref: scu.471011
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
Citations: [2002] EWHC 1618 (Admin), [2003] 1 WLR 330 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 17 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 06 November 2022; Ref: scu.175138
The councils disputed which had a duty to provide care and assistance to a young woman with mental health difficulties. Judges: Loyd, Richards, Elias LJJ Citations: [2012] EWCA Civ 1232 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Local Government Updated: 05 November 2022; Ref: scu.464756
The claimant sought damages for false imprisonment. The mental health tribunal had ordered his release, but the respondent had delayed that release. Held: False imprisonment is established on proof of imprisonment without lawful authority. An authority might commit both the tort of false imprisonment and infringe a patient’s human rights, but not all infringements of … Continue reading Regina (W) v Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council: Admn 13 Feb 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 defendant firm of solicitors, acting as executors had sought to arrange matters to minimise Inheritance Tax. A deed of variation was put in place after approval by the court, but the CTO interpreted the deed differently. The executors believed the interpretation to be wrong and sought advantage from that interpretation on counsel’s advice. Negligence … Continue reading Jemma Trust Company Ltd v Kippax Beaumont Lewis (A Firm) and others: CA 11 Mar 2005
