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Mental Health Law Online

The internet resource on mental health law, and mental capacity law, for England & Wales. You can sign up for free email updates, the online forum and the CPD scheme (which provides 12 hours for £75 and is suitable for lawyers and non-lawyers). You can advertise your job vacancies and events here, or browse the bookshop. The main content of this website has been divided into Case law (2478), Legislation (392) and Resources (1,130), together with separate Information pages (334) to link everything together.

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Contacts

The Magic Book is a database of contact details which currently contains 318 pages. Add or view contacts.

  News and updates

All the latest updates to the website can be seen on on the MHLO updates forum category. The most recent appears here.

• 26/06/25: Tribunal victim impact statements. Ministry of Justice, 'Changes to the MHT under the Victim and Prisoner Act 2024: Victim Impact Statements and the MHT' (24 June 2025) — This letter explains the introduction of victim impact statements. The statute does not distinguish between remote and face-to-face hearings but but the letter introduces the idea that victims will only be allowed to read statements to the tribunal remotely ("Where ... the victim has applied to attend the hearing (remotely) to read their VIS aloud ..."). It notes that victims should not provide views on whether the patient should be discharged, as the statement will only be considered in relation to conditions. In relation to content: "The VIS allows the victim to explain the impact the crime has had on them and provides the Tribunal with context for any discharge condition requests they make. For example, it may cover: (a) any physical, financial, emotional or psychological injury the victim has suffered and/or any treatment they may have received as a result of the crime; (b) if they feel vulnerable or intimidated; (c) if they no longer feel safe; (d) the impact on their family; (e) how their quality of life has changed on a day-to-day basis."

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No open consultations.

  To do

A glimpse into the to do list:

• 25/06/25: Welsh pilot about remote hearings (see emails)

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  CPD

The CPD scheme is primarily aimed at mental health solicitors, and is an ideal way to evidence your continued competence, but is also suitable for barristers, psychiatrists, social workers and psychiatric nurses. For £75, you can obtain 12 CPD credits.

  Jobs

Advertise your job vacancies here

• Mind, London/hybrid - Head of Legal maternity cover (deadline 29 June 2025)
• Mental health panel member seeking agency work (listed until 5 September 2025)

  Events

Advertise your events here

• MHLA: Advocacy, Risk and Cross-Examination Masterclass (London, 3 July 2025)
• MHLA: Conducting face-to-face hearings and basic case law for tribunals (Leeds, 9 September 2025)
• MHLA: Refresher and Re-accreditation course (online, 15 September 2025)
• MHLA: Foundation course (London, 7 October 2025)
• MHLA: Refresher and Re-accreditation course (online, 27 October 2025)

  Books

Please support MHLO by clicking Amazon or Bookshop.org before you buy books (or, in Amazon's case, anything). View all books...