Scott review of mental health law embarks on consultation

The review of mental health law under solicitor advocate John Scott QC has launched an appeal for people to share experiences of how the present law is working, through a new consultation paper.

Covering the working of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, the review was set up last May to examine the rights and protections for people with mental health conditions, along with how to remove barriers to those caring for their health and welfare, in the light of developments in law and practice since the 2003 Act came into force. It will seek to reflect people’s social, economic and cultural rights as part of its consideration of the future shape of incapacity, mental health and adult support and protection legislation.

In particular it is asking how mental health law promotes and protects human rights, and whether it could do this in better ways.

Divided into separate parts, one for individuals and one for organisations and those working with the law, the consultation simply provides an open ended box in which respondents can recount their experiences, and in the latter case their views on how the Act is working.

Click here to access the consultation. The deadline for responses is 24 April 2020.