Expired Foundation course – London, 4 September 2023

Important Information:

Registration from 9:30am; course runs 10am to 4.30pm. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Booking closes at 9am on 23 August 2023 (or earlier, if all places are taken), as the venue requires the final numbers in advance. Reservations are confirmed when full payment is received. We anticipate high demand, so prompt booking and payment are advised to avoid disappointment.

Cost:

MHLA Members = £150.00
Non-members = £195.00

Please email admin@mhla.co.uk if you are unsure of your membership status. Click here to view membership eligibility, fees, and to download an application form.

Overview:

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.

Our next Panel course takes place on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 September 2023, at Resource For London (London). To find out more and book your place, click here.

The course
The foundation course takes an interactive approach. It covers the basics of mental health law, Legal Aid, and running a mental health file. Our presenters include Tribunal judges, Law Society assessors, LAA peer reviewers and costs assessors, and other experienced solicitors with a wealth of practical experience of representing patients at Mental Health Tribunals.

Outline Programme – MHLA Foundation Course
Representing Detained Patients
Speakers (subject to change): Dr Laura Janes and Angela Wall (MHLA Committee Members)

1. Introduction to mental health legislation – the historical perspective
2. What does it mean to be “sectioned” – basic sections: definitions, statute and procedure relating to s.1, s.2, s.3, s.37/41, s.17, s.17A, s.72. s.73; Consent to Treatment provisions; Nearest Relatives
3. Legal Aid – how to complete CW1/2 forms; CLR
4. Running a mental health file – including the day to day life of a mental health lawyer, best practice in conducting a case file from start to finish including taking instructions, giving advice, case preparation and representation
5. What is a MHT – why could the patient need representation? – including ethical considerations, capacity, MHT procedure
6. What is a HMH – why could the patient need representation? – including renewal, applications, “powers”, merits of a HMH
7. What is a CPA – why could the patient need representation? – including LAA considerations etc, purpose of CPA, role of the legal representative
8. Q&A / Plenary session

Professional Development:

This course provides 6 hours structured PD for TLS Mental Health Accreditation Scheme. Professional Development Hours = 6. Reference BYE/MHLA.