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Mental Capacity Act 2005
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Changes to legislation:
Mental Capacity Act 2005, Section 44 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 22 February 2025. 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 44:
- s. 4C inserted by 2019 c. 18 s. 1(3)
- s. 21ZA and cross-heading inserted by 2019 c. 18 s. 3
- s. 36(2)(da) inserted by 2019 c. 18 Sch. 2 para. 4(4)
- s. 42(1A) inserted by 2019 c. 18 s. 4(2)
- s. 42(2A)(2B) inserted by 2019 c. 18 s. 4(3)
- 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. 4C inserted by 2019 c. 18 s. 1(3)
- s. 21ZA and cross-heading inserted by 2019 c. 18 s. 3
- s. 36(2)(da) inserted by 2019 c. 18 Sch. 2 para. 4(4)
- s. 42(1A) inserted by 2019 c. 18 s. 4(2)
- s. 42(2A)(2B) inserted by 2019 c. 18 s. 4(3)
- 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)
44Ill-treatment or neglectE+W
This section has no associated Explanatory Notes
(1)Subsection (2) applies if a person (“D”)—
(a)has the care of a person (“P”) who lacks, or whom D reasonably believes to lack, capacity,
(b)is the donee of a lasting power of attorney, or an enduring power of attorney (within the meaning of Schedule 4), created by P, or
(c)is a deputy appointed by the court for P.
(2)D is guilty of an offence if he ill-treats or wilfully neglects P.
(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F1the general limit in a magistrates’ court] or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or a fine or both.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 44(3)(a) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1 table
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