- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Mental Health Act 1983, Section 51 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 30 August 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.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
(1)This section has effect where a transfer direction has been given in respect of any such person as is described in paragraph (a) of section 48(2) above and that person is in this section referred to as “the detainee”.
(2)The transfer direction shall cease to have effect when the detainee’s case is disposed of by the court having jurisdiction to try or otherwise deal with him, but without prejudice to any power of that court to make a hospital order or other order under this Part of this Act in his case.
(3)If the Secretary of State is notified by the [F1responsible clinician] , any other [F2approved clinician] or [F3the appropriate tribunal] at any time before the detainee’s case is disposed of by that court—
(a)that the detainee no longer requires treatment in hospital for mental disorder; or
(b)that no effective treatment for his disorder can be given at the hospital to which he has been removed,
the Secretary of State may by warrant direct that he be remitted to any place where he might have been detained if he had not been removed to hospital, there to be dealt with as if he had not been so removed, and on his arrival at the place to which he is so remitted the transfer direction shall cease to have effect.
(4)If (no direction having been given under subsection (3) above) the court having jurisdiction to try or otherwise deal with the detainee is satisfied on the written or oral evidence of the [F4responsible clinician]—
(a)that the detainee no longer requires treatment in hospital for mental disorder; or
(b)that no effective treatment for his disorder can be given at the hospital to which he has been removed,
the court may order him to be remitted to any such place as is mentioned in subsection (3) above or [F5, subject to section 25 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994,] released on bail and on his arrival at that place or, as the case may be, his release on bail the transfer direction shall cease to have effect.
(5)If (no direction or order having been given or made under subsection (3) or (4) above) it appears to the court having jurisdiction to try or otherwise deal with the detainee—
(a)that it is impracticable or inappropriate to bring the detainee before the court; and
(b)that the conditions set out in subsection (6) below are satisfied,
the court may make a hospital order (with or without a restriction order) in his case in his absence and, in the case of a person awaiting trial, without convicting him.
(6)A hospital order may be made in respect of a person under subsection (5) above if the court—
(a)is satisfied, on the written or oral evidence of at least two registered medical practitioners, that
[F6(i)the detainee is suffering from mental disorder of a nature or degree which makes it appropriate for the patient to be detained in a hospital for medical treatment;][F7 and
(ii)appropriate medical treatment is available for him; and]
(b)is of the opinion, after considering any depositions or other documents required to be sent to the proper officer of the court, that it is proper to make such an order.
(7)Where a person committed to the Crown Court to be dealt with under section 43 above is admitted to a hospital in pursuance of an order under section 44 above, subsections (5) and (6) above shall apply as if he were a person subject to a transfer direction.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 51(3) substituted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 11(3)(a)(i), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)
F2Words in s. 51(3) substituted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 11(3)(a)(ii), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)
F3Words in s. 51(3) substituted (3.11.2008) by The Transfer of Tribunal Functions Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2833), art. 6, Sch. 3 para. 43
F4Words in s. 51(4) substituted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 11(3)(b), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)
F5Words in s. 51(4) inserted (10.4.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 168, Sch. 10, para. 51; S.I. 1995/721, art. 2, Sch. Appendix A
F6S. 51(6)(a)(i) substituted (3.11.2008) for words in s. 51(6)(a) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 1, 56, Sch. 1 para. 12 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(a) (with art. 3, Sch.)
F7S. 51(6)(a)(ii) and preceding word inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 5(4), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: