Blackstone's Guide to the Mental Capacity Act 2005

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 comes into force in 2007 and radically reforms the law under which decisions will be made for those who lack mental capacity. Changes are wide-ranging and significant and include: a new functional capacity test; the primacy of 'best interests'; the creation of a new Court of Protection; and a new criminal offense of ill-treatment or wilful neglect. This practical guide contains a copy of the Act and examines both the impact of the changes introduced and the priniciples and key concepts. It is an invaluable resource for all practitioners working in this complex area.

Peter Bartlett is Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Professor of Mental Health Law at the University of Nottingham. He has written and contributed to a wide array of publications in the field including Mental Health Law: Policy and Practice 2/e (co-authored with Ralph Sandland, published by OUP, 2003); Mental Health Law: The Advocates' Manual 2/e (Toronto, Community Legal Education, 1988); and Involuntary Detention and Civil Commitment (contributor, ed. Diesfield & Freckelton, Ashgate, 2003).