MHA 1983 s1

Mental Health Act 1983
(as amended)

Law as at 19/11/11 unless otherwise stated under "Amendments" heading

Part I contents

1

All Parts

I, II, III, IV, 4A, V, VI, VIII, IX, X, Schedules

Overview of the MHA 1983
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Legislation.gov.uk

See Definition of mental disorder.

Changes made by Mental Health Act 2007

• Mental disorder no longer split into separate classifications 3/11/08
• Abnormally aggressive or seriously irresponsible conduct is only a consideration for learning disability (not personality disorder) 3/11/08
• Some exclusions to definition of mental disorder have been removed 3/11/08

Related cases

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See also

[The chapter/paragraph numbers which appear below (if any) refer to the 2008 versions of the Code of Practice and Reference Guide.]

• Reference Guide to the Mental Health Act 1983, 1. The structure of the Act and basic definitions [Note that the chapter number relates to the old Reference Guide] — paragraphs 1.2 and 1.7 to 1.15
• Mental Health Act 1983 Code Of Practice for England, 3. Mental disorder, 34. People with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders, 35. People with personality disorders

Law

Application of Act: "mental disorder"

1.— (1) The provisions of this Act shall have effect with respect to the reception, care and treatment of mentally disordered patients, the management of their property and other related matters.

(2) In this Act—

["mental disorder" means any disorder or disability of the mind; and

"mentally disordered" shall be construed accordingly;]

[...]

and other expressions shall have the meanings assigned to them in section 145 below.

[(2A) But a person with learning disability shall not be considered by reason of that disability to be-

(a) suffering from mental disorder for the purposes of the provisions mentioned in subsection (2B) below; or

(b) requiring treatment in hospital for mental disorder for the purposes of sections 17E and 50 to 53 below,

unless that disability is associated with abnormally aggressive or seriously irresponsible conduct on his part.

(2B) The provisions are-

(a) sections 3, 7, 17A, 20 and 20A below;

(b) sections 35 to 38, 45A, 47, 48 and 51 below; and

(c) section 72(1)(b) and (c) and (4) below.]

[(3) Dependence on alcohol or drugs is not considered to be a disorder or disability of the mind for the purposes of subsection (2) above.]

[(4) In subsection (2A) above, "learning disability" means a state of arrested or incomplete development of the mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning.]

Amendments