R v Bournewood Community and Mental Health NHS Trust, Ex parte L

Subject Matter

MENTAL DISORDER — Admission for treatment — Validity of detention — Informal admission of mentally disordered patient incapable of giving or refusing consent — Intention to prevent patient from leaving — Whether power to admit patient informally — Whether common law doctrine of necessity applying — Whether patient unlawfully detained — Mental Health Act 1983, s 131 (as amended by Children Act 1989, s 108(5), Sch 13, para 48(5))

[1999] 1 AC 458; [1998] 2 WLR 764; [1998] 1 All ER 634, CA

[1999] 1 AC 458; [1998] 3 WLR 107; [1998] 3 All ER 289; [1998] 2 FLR 550, HL(E)

Appellate History