(1)Subject to subsections (2) and (3), there is hereby vested in the High Court all jurisdiction in matters relating to patients heretofore exercisable by the Lord Chief Justice or any other person under the [1871 c. 22.] Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 or any other statutory provision or by virtue of Her Majesty's Sign Manual.
(2)The legal visitors and medical visitors mentioned in the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 shall be appointed by the Lord Chief Justice and shall be known as the Lord Chief Justice's Visitors.
(3)In this section " matters relating to patients " includes all matters relating to the care and commitment of the custody of idiots, lunatics and persons of unsound mind and their estates and relating to the guardianship of persons of weak mind.