Mental Health

What is the Mental Health Act 1983?

• Posted2025-05-14 09:10
• AuthorElla Welch

Mental Health Awareness Week (12th - 18th May 2025): Did you know that one in four people in the United Kingdom will experience mental health issues at some point in their lives? For many, the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended) (MHA 1983) plays a crucial...

Understanding Capacity

• Posted2025-05-14 09:08
• AuthorElla Welch

The concept of capacity is central to various areas of law, particularly the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA 1983) and Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA 2005). Capacity refers to an individual's ability to make decisions for themselves, and assessing capacity...

Potential Impact on the 'Nearest Relative'

• Posted2022-05-11 09:45
• AuthorIndia Jefferson-Grant

Independent Review of the Mental Health Act – Potential Impact on the ‘Nearest Relative’ Professor Sir Simon Wessely carried out an Independent Review of the Mental Health Act some time ago now. This landmark review revealed/confirmed that...

How do we identify someone's 'Nearest Relative'?

• Posted2022-03-11 11:20
• AuthorIndia Jefferson-Grant

Here at Biscoes we are often contacted by worried family members of individuals detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended) (MHA 1983). We will always ask the question, “are you the Nearest Relative for this family member?” Often, they...