Mental health

Burton & Dyson has 40 years’ experience in working with clients who suffer from mental illness or lack capacity due to disability. As a result, we have built a close working relationship with them and with medical professionals in that area.

Our expert team includes lawyers specially accredited in mental health law by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

We advise individuals detained under the full range of sections of the Mental Health Act 1983 (including individuals not detained in hospital, but who are the subject of community-based treatment under a Community Treatment Order). We can represent them at both Mental Health Tribunals and Hospital Managers Hearings, as well as acting for their nearest relatives in County Court proceedings.

Mental Health Tribunals have the power to discharge patients immediately, or at a set date in the future. Alternatively, they may make recommendations about future care, agree leave in the community or transfer the patient to another hospital.

In addition to individuals detained under the Mental Health Act, Burton & Dyson is able to advise those, and more particularly their families, who have been assessed as lacking capacity under the Mental Capacity Act.  We can assist individuals and their families in challenging the decision, and advise on the ‘Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards’ introduced by the Mental Capacity Act.

For many years Burton & Dyson has represented clients at a large number of local and regional private and NHS specialist hospitals (including Rampton). Generally our work is publically funded, which means that the cost of all the legal fees is paid by the appropriate authority.

For more information on our mental health services, please contact us.