Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016

Criteria for detention amounting to deprivation of liberty

10.  In relation to detention of P in a place in circumstances amounting to a deprivation of liberty, the criteria for authorisation are that—

(a) appropriate care or treatment is available for P in the place in question;

(b) failure to detain P in circumstances amounting to a deprivation of liberty in a place in which appropriate care or treatment is available for P would create a risk of serious harm to P or of serious physical harm to other persons;

(c) detaining P in the place in question in circumstances amounting to a deprivation of liberty would be a proportionate response to—

(i) the likelihood of harm to P, or of physical harm to other persons; and

(ii) the seriousness of the harm concerned;

(d) P lacks capacity in relation to whether he or she should be detained in the place in question; and

(e) it would be in P’s best interests to be so detained.