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Mental Health Act 1983
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Mental Health Act 1983, Introductory Text is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 07 November 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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Mental Health Act 1983
1983 CHAPTER 20
F1An Act to consolidate the law relating to mentally disordered persons.
[9th May 1983]
Be it enacted by the Queen’s most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Textual Amendments
F1For the words "Supreme Court Act 1981" there is substituted (1.10.2009) the words "Senior Courts Act 1981" by virtue of Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 1(2); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Act modified (31.3.2005) by Army Act 1955 (c. 18), s. 116B(3), (as substituted by 2004 c. 28, ss. 26, 60, Sch. 3 para. 1 (with Sch. 12 para. 8)); S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(b)
Act modified (31.3.2005) by Airforce Act 1955 (c. 19), s. 116B(3), (as substituted by 2004 c. 28, ss. 26, 60, Sch. 3 para. 1 (with Sch. 12 para. 8)); S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(b)
Act modified (31.3.2005) by Naval Discipline Act 1957 (c. 53), s. 63B(3), (as substituted by 2004 c. 28, ss. 26, 60, Sch. 3 para. 3 (with Sch. 12 para. 8)); S.I. 2005/579, art. 3(b)
C2"Senior courts" is substituted (1.10.2009) for "Supreme Court" or "Supreme Court of Judicature" in each place by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 4; S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)
C3Act applied in part (E.W.N.I.) (27.10.1960) by 1960 c. 65, s. 5A(4) (as inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 4 para. 1 (with Sch. 10)); S.|. 2008/1900, {art. 2(i)} (with art. 3, Sch.)
Act applied in part (E.W.) (1.9.1968) by 1968 c. 19, s. 37A(5); S.I. 1968/325 (as inserted (3.11.2008 by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 4 para. 2(3) (with Sch. 10)); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)
Act applied in part (1.9.1968) by 1968 c. 20, s. 43(3A); S.I. 1968/325 (as inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 4 para. 3(3) (with Sch. 10)); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)
Act applied in part (1.9.1968) by 1968 c. 20, s. 43A(4); S.I. 1968/325 (as inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 4 para. 3(4) (with Sch. 10)); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)
C4Act excluded (S.) by Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 (c. 36, SIF 85), ss. 17(2), 79(1)
C5Act modified by Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984 (c. 47, SIF 39:1), s. 3, Sch. para. 5(1)(a)
C6Act modified (E.W.) (1.1.1992) by Criminal Procedure (Insanity and Unfitness to Plead) Act 1991 (c. 25, SIF 39:1), s. 5(2), (with saving in s. 8); S.I. 1991/2488, art. 2
Act modified (E.W.) (1.1.1992) by Criminal Procedure (Insanity and Unfitness to Plead) Act 1991 (c. 25, SIF 39:1), s. 5(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(1) (with saving in s. 8); S.I. 1991/2488, art. 2
C7Act: definition of "mental hospital" applied (E.W.) (1.10.1992) by Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973 (c. 62, SIF 39:1), s. 3(3), Sch. 1A para. 5(10) (as inserted (1.10.1992) by Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), ss. 8(3), 9(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II; S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch.2).
C8By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 101(1), Sch. 12 para.23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch.1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s.70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act, to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.
C9Act: functions (except under ss. 78, 106(5), Pt. VII, Sch. 2 paras. 1(b)(c)) transferred (W.) (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch. 1
Act (except ss. 25A, 25C-25H, 117, 140): functions not to be exercised by a primary care trust (1.4.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/695, art. 4(1), Sch. 4
C10Act applied (E.W.) (19.3.1997) by 1997 c. 17, s. 1(4)
Act applied (E.W) (19.3.1997) by 1984 c. 60, s. 63A(3A) (as inserted by 1997 c. 17, s. 3)
C11Act: functions transfered (3.11.2008) by The First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal (Chambers) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2684), art. 5(h)
C12Act modified (1.4.2009) by The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Commencement No.9, Consequential Amendments and Transitory, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/462), art. 10, Sch. 4
C13Act modified (temp.) (27.3.2020 at 9.00 a.m.) by Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 87(2), Sch. 8 para. 13 (with ss. 88-90, Sch. 8 para. 2); S.I. 2020/366, reg. 2 (which affecting provision expires (25.3.2022) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 89
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