Summary:

• The Mental Health Act covers a small proportion of people with mental health conditions and learning diabilities, and provides the statutory framework for how they can be admitted, detained and treated in hospital against their wishes.
• Part 3 of the Mental Health Act focuses on how it applies in the criminal justice system and permits the court to order a defendant's admission to hospital, for example, for a report to be prepared on their condition, or for medical treatment to be provided.
• If you think that recourse to the Mental Health Act might be appropriate, you should seek advice from your legal adviser.