Citation

Wilson S. Psychiatry 2007; 6(11): 449-451.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Medicine Publishing Company Ltd.)

DOI

10.1016/j.mppsy.2007.08.003

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This contribution provides a brief overview of current legal issues relevant to forensic psychiatry. An update on reform of the Mental Health Act is presented, together with an overview of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and some observations about its possible impact for mental health services. The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 and the Criminal Justice Act 2003 both provide for broad changes to a variety of aspects of the criminal justice system, many of direct relevance to forensic psychiatry. Finally, some legal issues of importance for mental health services in prisons are considered.