Subject to the provisions of this section and section 51 of this Act, a patient who is for the time being subject to guardianship under this Part of this Act shall cease to be so subject if an order in writing discharging him from guardianship (in this Act referred to as “an order for discharge”) is made in accordance with the following provisions of this section.

An order for discharge may be made in respect of a patient by the responsible medical officer, the Mental Welfare Commission or, where an appeal has been taken under sections 47 or 51 of this Act, by the sheriff.

The responsible medical officer or the Mental Welfare Commission shall make an order for discharge in respect of a patient where he is or they are satisfied that he is not suffering from mental disorder of a nature or degree which warrants his remaining under guardianship.

The local authority concerned or the Mental Welfare Commission shall make an order for discharge where they are satisfied that it is not necessary in the interests of the welfare of the patient that he should remain under guardianship.

Subject to the provisions of this section and section 51 of this Act, an order for discharge in respect of a patient may also be made by the nearest relative of the patient.

A patient subject to guardianship shall cease to be so subject where the sheriff has approved under section 21 of this Act an application for his admission to a hospital.