Blackstone's Guide to the Mental Health Amendment Act 2006 [Paperback]

This new Blackstone's Guide provides the full text of the UK Mental Health Amendment Act, together with an expert chapter by chapter narrative clearly explaining the changes the Act makes to the Mental Health Act 1983. Key changes introduced by the Mental Health Amendment Act 2006 include;



?? A new definition of 'mental disorder'


?? The abolishment of existing classifications of 'mental illness', 'psychopathic disorder', 'mental impairment' and 'severe mental impairment'


?? A new requirement that detention have a 'therapeutic purpose' for all forms of mental disorder, while removing the 'treatability' requirement for patients suffering from psychopathic disorder


?? A new power to control and treat patients in the community


?? A new framework of safeguards for incapacitated 'Bournewood' patients (to amend the Mental Capacity Act)
DBL Amendments to the 'nearest relative' provisions to bring them into line with the ECHR

The narrative clearly explains how the Act amends the 1983 Act, analyses its impact on the Mental Capacity Act, and discusses the human rights implications of compulsory detention and treatment by reference to key cases such as Bournewood, IH, and Von Brandenburg. The Guide's accessible and clear layout makes it an ideal quick reference text, and the appendices include a copy of the Mental Health Act Amendment Act 2006.


Paul Bowen is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers (Call 1993) specialising in public law and human rights law, with a particular interest in the rights of individuals with physical and mental disabilities. He has lectured extensively on human rights and mental health law and publications include editorship of Judicial Review and Crown Office Practice by Richard Gordon QC (December 1998) (Sweet & Maxwell).