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Mental Capacity Act 2005
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Changes to legislation:
Mental Capacity Act 2005, Section 1 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 22 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 1:
- s. 58(4)(ca) inserted by 2023 c. 42 Sch. para. 10
- Sch. 1 para. 4A inserted by 2023 c. 42 Sch. para. 3
- Sch. 1 para. 10A and cross-heading inserted by 2023 c. 42 Sch. para. 6
- Sch. 1 para. 13A inserted by 2023 c. 42 Sch. para. 7(2)
- Sch. 1 para. 16(1A) inserted by 2023 c. 42 Sch. para. 8(b)
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 58(4)(ca) inserted by 2023 c. 42 Sch. para. 10
- Sch. 1 para. 4A inserted by 2023 c. 42 Sch. para. 3
- Sch. 1 para. 10A and cross-heading inserted by 2023 c. 42 Sch. para. 6
- Sch. 1 para. 13A inserted by 2023 c. 42 Sch. para. 7(2)
- Sch. 1 para. 16(1A) inserted by 2023 c. 42 Sch. para. 8(b)
1The principlesE+W
This section has no associated Explanatory Notes
(1)The following principles apply for the purposes of this Act.
(2)A person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that he lacks capacity.
(3)A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision unless all practicable steps to help him to do so have been taken without success.
(4)A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision merely because he makes an unwise decision.
(5)An act done, or decision made, under this Act for or on behalf of a person who lacks capacity must be done, or made, in his best interests.
(6)Before the act is done, or the decision is made, regard must be had to whether the purpose for which it is needed can be as effectively achieved in a way that is less restrictive of the person's rights and freedom of action.
Commencement Information
I1S. 1 wholly in force at 1.10.2007; s. 1 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 68(1)-(3); s. 1 in force for certain purposes at 1.4.2007 by S.I. 2007/563, arts. 1(2)(3), 2(2)(a)(3) and s. 1 in force otherwise at 1.10.2007 by S.I. 2007/1897, art. 2(2)(a)
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