Patients shall be visited by Lord Chief Justice's Visitors in such circumstances, and in such manner, as may be prescribed by directions of a standing nature given by the Master (Care and Protection) with the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice.

Where it appears to the court in the case of any patient that a visit by a Lord Chief Justice's Visitor is necessary for the purpose of investigating any particular matter or matters relating to the capacity of the patient to manage and administer his property and affairs, or otherwise relating to the exercise in relation to him of the functions of the court under this Part, the court may order that the patient shall be visited for that purpose.

Every visit falling to be made under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be made by a General Visitor unless, in a case where it appears to the court that it is in the circumstances essential for the visit to be made by a Visitor with medical or legal qualifications, the court directs that the visit shall be made by a Medical or a Legal Visitor.

A Visitor making a visit under this Article shall make such report on the visit as the court may direct.

A Visitor making a visit under this Article may interview the patient in private.

A Medical Visitor making a visit under this Article may carry out in private a medical examination of the patient and may require the production of and inspect any medical records relating to the patient.

The Master (Care and Protection) may visit any patient for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (2) and may interview the patient in private.

A report made by a Visitor under this Article, and information contained in such a report, shall not be disclosed except to the court and any person authorised by the court to receive the disclosure.

If any person discloses any report or information in contravention of paragraph (8), he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or both.

In this Article references to patients include references to persons alleged to be incapable, by reason of mental disorder, of managing and administering their property and affairs.