Author: Caroline

[Update: the full list of current courses is available on the Training page.]

Education and Training courses: 2020 draft programme

Here are provisional dates for our 2020 programme of training courses. As soon as dates and venues are confirmed, events will be open for registration on the MHLA website (www.mhla.co.uk) and will be announced by our administrator by email.

FOUNDATION COURSE (1 day)
13 February, London / 1 April, Manchester / 26 August, London
This course is aimed at new practitioners and those intending to attend the Panel course in the near future. Attendance at the Foundation course is strongly recommended in order to achieve a sound understanding of the basic principles of mental health law, practice and procedure and in order to achieve the most from the two-day Panel course, which is a pre-requisite for application to The Law Society’s mental health panel.
“Passionate presenters made the course enjoyable.”

PANEL (ACCREDITATION SCHEME) COURSE (2 days)
February / June / October, in London and in Leeds
The MHLA is an accredited provider of the two-day course which must be attended by prospective members of the Law Society’s Mental Health accreditation scheme (formerly called the Panel). New practitioners are strongly encouraged also to attend the one-day foundation course (although this is not compulsory) in order to benefit fully from this course. The Legal Aid contract requires that all advocacy at Mental Health Tribunals be carried out by members of the Law Society’s accreditation scheme.
“The presenters had experience of representing clients and also sitting on the tribunal panels. Presenters were able to bring information alive.”

REFRESHER & RE-ACCREDITATION (1 day)
19 March, London / 2 October, Leeds
This course will be suitable for those seeking re-accreditation, by: reviewing the legal and procedural developments of the last three years; providing a forum for discussing these along with the re-accreditation process; fulfilling the requirement to obtain six mental health CPD points. It will also be of interest to anyone wishing to further their knowledge of mental health law and practice. There will be a significant case study element to highlight areas of law and practice relevant to tribunal representation, including professional ethics, pre-hearing matters and tribunal procedure.
“Practical and provided a great update on case law and preparation for reaccreditation.”

RESTRICTED CASES (1 day)
27 March, Leeds / 4 June, London / 10 September, London
This intensive course covers all the key considerations for the MH lawyer in managing a restricted case, including: restricted sections and provenance; duration of restricted sections; powers of MHT; and an overview of MAPPA and its role in MHT.

LEGAL AID SUPERVISION (1 day)
24 April, Birmingham
This course is suitable for those wanting to apply to become supervisors in mental health, community care and other LAA contract categories. During the day delegates will develop their practical supervision skills including delegation, leadership, team working and file review. There will be guidance on how to apply to become a supervisor, and an overview of the various audit tools the LAA use and how to approach and prepare for audits. The course has been prepared in conjunction with the LAA and attendance can be used to support an application for supervisor status.

LEGAL AID AND PEER REVIEW (1 day)
13 May, London
This course provides guidance on the Legal Aid provisions in mental health cases, including escape-fee cases and requirements for means testing. It will also broaden practitioners’ knowledge of the peer review process and the peer review ‘Improving your Quality’ guidance. Training is provided by a current LAA independent costs assessor and a peer reviewer.
“The best course I’ve attended to date.”

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURT OF PROTECTION (1 day)
June, London
An intensive introduction to practice in the Court of Protection. This course is primarily aimed at practitioners with little or no experience in conducting matters before the Court and those seeking a practical foundation to undertaking proceedings in the Court. It will cover health and welfare matters, deprivation of liberty, funding and, to a lesser extent, issues relating to property and affairs.
“Excellent course, invaluable insight and education of COP.”

COURT OF PROTECTION & ALR (1 day)
June, London
Details to follow.

ADVOCACY, RISK AND CROSS-EXAMINATION MASTERCLASS (1 day)
18 May, London / 16 October, Leicester
A course designed to enhance advocacy and case preparation skills. The focus is on preparing for advocacy, with advice on cross-examination of the witnesses and taking evidence-in-chief from the client, along with formulation and delivery of submissions. The course will also cover: understanding mental disorder, nature and degree; psychiatric medications; consent to treatment provisions; understanding, testing, challenging and addressing evidence of the ‘risks’; instructing independent psychiatrists appropriately and using their evidence at tribunal effectively.
“Extremely helpful insights, anecdotes from both speakers.”

HOSPITAL MANAGERS HEARINGS
28 May, London
Aimed at new caseworkers doing Hospital Managers’ hearings, this is a pre-Panel course covering essential case law for Tribunals plus: the statutory criteria; AMT; dangerousness; and aftercare (Statute, Code, Clinical and Ethical considerations).

Pricing and CPD 

The MHLA is running the following courses during 2017, at venues across the country. To register, and for further information, see All scheduled courses.

Legal Aid Supervision (1 day) MARCH, OCTOBER **NEW**
This course is suitable for those wanting to apply to become supervisors in mental health, community care and other LAA contract categories. During the day delegates will develop their practical supervision skills including delegation, leadership, team working and file review. There will be guidance on how to apply to become a supervisor, and an overview of the various audit tools the LAA use and how to approach and prepare for audits. The course has been prepared in conjunction with the LAA and attendance can be used to support an application for supervisor status.

Restricted cases (1 day) MARCH, OCTOBER **NEW**
This advanced course will cover all aspects of Part III work, including 37/41, transfers of sentenced (s47) and unsentenced (s48) prisoners from prison to hospital and vice versa. It will explain the different types of sentencing options and review recent case law and guidance. The focus will be on s74 tribunal proceedings, split between cases where your client is subject to a determinate or indeterminate sentence. For those clients subject to an indeterminate sentence, we will consider the role of the Parole Board and whether and when to represent in those proceedings.

Court of Protection funding (1 day) JULY **NEW**
Description to follow.

Foundation course (1 day) FEBRUARY, AUGUST
This course is aimed at new practitioners and those intending to attend the Panel course in the near future. Attendance at the Foundation course is strongly recommended in order to achieve a sound understanding of the basic principles of mental health law, practice and procedure and in order to achieve the most from the two-day Panel course, which is a pre-requisite for application to The Law Society’s mental health panel.
“Passionate presenters made the course enjoyable.”

Panel (accreditation scheme) course (2 days) FEBRUARY, MARCH, JUNE, OCTOBER
The MHLA is an accredited provider of the two-day course which must be attended by prospective members of the Law Society’s Mental Health accreditation scheme (formerly called the Panel). New practitioners are strongly encouraged also to attend the one-day foundation course (although this is not compulsory) in order to benefit fully from this course. The Legal Aid contract requires that all advocacy at Mental Health Tribunals be carried out by members of the Law Society’s accreditation scheme.
“The presenters had experience of representing clients and also sitting on the tribunal panels. Presenters were able to bring information alive.”

Refresher/re-accreditation course (1 day) MARCH, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER
This course will be suitable for those seeking re-accreditation, by: reviewing the legal and procedural developments of the last three years; providing a forum for discussing these along with the re-accreditation process; fulfilling the requirement to obtain six mental health CPD points. It will also be of interest to anyone wishing to further their knowledge of mental health law and practice. There will be a significant case study element to highlight areas of law and practice relevant to tribunal representation, including professional ethics, pre-hearing matters and tribunal procedure.
“Practical and provided a great update on case law and preparation for re-accreditation.”

Introduction to the Court of Protection (1 day) MAY
An intensive introduction to practice in the Court of Protection. This course is primarily aimed at practitioners with little or no experience in conducting matters before the Court and those seeking a practical foundation to undertaking proceedings in the Court. The course will cover health and welfare matters, deprivation of liberty, funding and, to a lesser extent, issues relating to property and affairs.
“Excellent course, invaluable insight and education of COP for both local authorities and private practice.”

Advocacy, risk and cross-examination masterclass (1 day) OCTOBER
A course designed to enhance advocacy and case preparation skills. The focus is on preparing for advocacy, with advice on cross-examination of the witnesses and taking evidence-in-chief from the client, along with formulation and delivery of submissions. The course will also cover: understanding mental disorder, nature and degree; psychiatric medications; consent to treatment provisions; understanding, testing, challenging and addressing evidence of the ‘risks’; instructing independent psychiatrists appropriately and using their evidence at tribunal effectively. This course will be delivered by consultant forensic psychiatrists and an experienced mental health solicitor, and will have an interactive element. It is suitable for both new and experienced representatives.
“Extremely helpful insights, anecdotes from both speakers.”

Legal Aid and peer review (1 day) APRIL
This course provides guidance on the Legal Aid provisions in mental health cases, including escape-fee cases and requirements for means testing. It will also broaden practitioners’ knowledge of the peer review process and the peer review ‘Improving your Quality’ guidance. Training is provided by a current LAA independent costs assessor and a peer reviewer.
“The best course I’ve attended to date.”

Pricing and CPD (no increases since 2015)

Pricing and CPD
Half-day: MHLA members £75, non-members £150. 3 hours CPD.
Full day: MHLA members £150, non-members £195. 6 hours CPD.
Two days: MHLA members £300, non-members £390. 12 hours CPD.
(Group bookings: 10% discount for groups of three or more members.)

We are an accredited provider of the Law Society’s panel course. Our courses are suitable for solicitors under both the ‘hours’ and ‘competence’ CPD regimes.