My LLM in Legal Aspects of Mental Health Practice gave me a lasting interest in mental health law, with a focus on human rights. It’s not possible to stay as up to date with case law as I would like, but the RadcliffesLeBrasseur Annual Mental Health Conference is the next best thing.
One Great George Street is an ideal venue, the cost of the day is reasonable (do they run it at a loss?) and the quality of the speakers is exemplary. Top QCs in relevant areas give an update on case law – case law they have been instrumental in developing, often in some of the highest Courts in the land.
There is usually an update from the CQC, which featured again this year. This is helpful to address concerns about what the aims and policy drivers of the CQC are right now.
Andrew Parsons is always pragmatic and clearly highly experienced. An update and overview of the NHS 5 Year Forward View and how it dovetails with the Long Term Plan was also welcome.
All in all, a good day, with an insight into the ever-developing case law following Cheshire West. For several years, the developments in case law have related to CTOs and DOLS, which are new areas of law, rather than the well-established Sections relevant to in-patient work, stemming largely from the 1959 Act which formed the basis of the 1983 Act.