Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003

Proceedings before Tribunal

215 Powers of Tribunal on reference under section 210(3), 211(2) or 213(2) or on application under section 214(2)

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a reference is made under section 210(3), 211(2) or 213(2) of this Act; or

(b) an application is made under section 214(2) of this Act.

(2) If the Tribunal is satisfied—

(a) that the patient has a mental disorder; and

(b) that, as a result of the patient’s mental disorder, it is necessary, in order to protect any other person from serious harm, for the patient to be detained in hospital, whether or not for medical treatment,

it shall make no direction to the Scottish Ministers under this section.

(3) If the Tribunal is not satisfied that the patient has a mental disorder, it shall direct the Scottish Ministers to revoke the direction to which the patient is subject.

(4) If the Tribunal—

(a) is satisfied that the patient has a mental disorder; but

(b) is not satisfied—

(i) that, as a result of the patient’s mental disorder, it is necessary, in order to protect any other person from serious harm, for the patient to be detained in hospital, whether or not for medical treatment; and

(ii) that the conditions mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (c) of section 206(4) of this Act continue to apply in respect of the patient,

the Tribunal shall direct the Scottish Ministers to revoke the direction to which the patient is subject.

(5) The Scottish Ministers shall, if directed to do so by the Tribunal under subsection (3) or (4) above, revoke the direction to which the patient is subject.

(6) Before making a decision under this section, the Tribunal shall—

(a) afford the persons mentioned in subsection (7) below the opportunity—

(i) of making representations (whether orally or in writing); and

(ii) of leading, or producing, evidence; and

(b) whether or not any such representations are made, hold a hearing.

(7) Those persons are—

(a) the patient;

(b) the patient’s named person;

(c) the patient’s primary carer;

(d) any guardian of the patient;

(e) any welfare attorney of the patient;

(f) any curator ad litem appointed in respect of the patient by the Tribunal;

(g) the Scottish Ministers;

(h) the patient’s responsible medical officer;

(i) the mental health officer; and

(j) any other person appearing to the Tribunal to have an interest.

(8) Nothing in section 102 (state hospitals) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 29) prevents or restricts the detention of a patient in a state hospital as a result of a decision under this section by the Tribunal not to direct the Scottish Ministers to revoke the direction to which the patient is subject.