May 2022 update

This page is automatically generated: it will only be complete at the end of the month. All monthly updates are available here: Archive of monthly updates.

Website

Magic Book. The Magic Book is a database of contact details. The main idea is to add the hospitals and other places you visit (not just your own place of work). To create/edit contacts, there is no need to log in and the process is very quick and simple. See Magic Book

Mental Health Law Online CPD scheme: 12 points for £60. Obtain 12 CPD points online by answering monthly questionnaires. The scheme is an ideal way to obtain your necessary hours, or to evidence your continued competence. It also helps to support the continued development of this website, and your subscriptions (and re-subscriptions) are appreciated. For full details and to subscribe, see CPD scheme.

Cases. By the end of this month, Mental Health Law Online contained 2213 categorised cases

Chronology. See May 2022 chronology for this month's changes to the website in date order.

Cases

Case (Ex turpi causa). Lewis-Ranwell v G4S Health Services (UK) Ltd [2022] EWHC 1213 (QB) — The claimant killed three men, was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity, then sought damages from G4S, the police, the NHS trust and the county council. The argument that his claim should be struck out on the grounds of illegality was unsuccessful: "The law would not be condoning wrongdoing because the jury's verdict means there was none."

Resources

MAPPA guidance. HMPPS, 'MAPPA Guidance' (24/11/21) — "Multi-agency public protection arrangements are in place to ensure the successful management of violent and sexual offenders. This guidance sets out the responsibilities of the police, probation trusts and prison service. It also touches on how other agencies may become involved, for example the Youth Justice Board will be responsible for the care of young offenders." Superseded by HMPPS, 'MAPPA Guidance' (dated May 2022, published 1/9/22).

Sentencing guidelines. Sentencing Council, 'Sentencing offenders with mental disorders, developmental disorders, or neurological impairments' (1/10/20) — Guidelines for sentencing offenders who are aged 18 and older at the time of sentencing. Not relevant to fitness to plead or disposals for those found unfit to plead.

FFP release notes and user guide. MHA Free Form Project, 'Release notes' (v4, 5/5/22) — The release notes contain this list of updates: (1) Toggle boxes for deletions on forms now strikethrough text rather than deleting it entirely, wherever practicable; (2) List boxes embedded in text for choices such as nearest relative delegation options have been replaced with more user-friendly dropdown boxes; (3) Completion check code now checks that method of reception of a form matches the method of furnishing it stated in a previous part of the form. The forms are available on the Mental Health Act 1983 Statutory Forms page.

Events

Event. Event:Bond Solon: Record Keeping (online, 9/9/22) — "Records, including notes, are an essential tool which health and social care professionals must be able to use effectively to meet their various legal and professional responsibilities. This interactive course has been designed to give an understanding of how, when, and why to write timely and accurate records, as well as how they can be used to defend recollection under cross-examination in a courtroom environment." Cost: £145 plus VAT. See Bond Solon website for further details and booking information.

Event. Event:Bond Solon: Record Keeping (online, 25/7/22) — "Records, including notes, are an essential tool which health and social care professionals must be able to use effectively to meet their various legal and professional responsibilities. This interactive course has been designed to give an understanding of how, when, and why to write timely and accurate records, as well as how they can be used to defend recollection under cross-examination in a courtroom environment." Cost: £145 plus VAT. See Bond Solon website for further details and booking information.

Social media

Nothing to report this month.

Other items

May 2022: K v Clinical Director of Drogheda Department of Psychiatry [2022] IEHC 248
May 2022: Social Work England, 'Consultation on new education and training approval standards for approved mental health professionals' (consultation from 9/5/22 to 1/8/22)
May 2022: Mental Health Tribunal, 'Direction for disclosure of medical records to legal representatives and to Medical Members of the Tribunal' (17/11/21)
May 2022: 39 Essex Chambers, 'Mental Capacity Report' (issue 122, May 2022)
May 2022: COP User Group, 'Minutes of Court User Group Meeting' (20/4/22) and Event:Court of Protection User Group: Property and affairs meeting (online, 6/7/22)

=Has been added to MHLO
=Only appears in this list