Mental Capacity draft bill (external link)

The Mental Capacity Bill received first reading in the House of Commons on 17 June 2004 and was published on 18 June 2004. The Bill provides a statutory framework to protect vulnerable people, carers and professionals. It makes it clear who can take decisions in which situations and how they should go about this.

The Bill starts from the fundamental point that a person has capacity and that all practical steps must be taken to help the person make a decision.

Department for Constitutional Affairs webpages (external link)

Explanatory Notes for the Mental Capacity Bill (external link)

Next: Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998