http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/20/section/25Mental Health Act 1983An Act to consolidate the law relating to mentally disordered persons.1983-05-09texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-04-09Expert Participation2026-04-06 Part II Compulsory Admission to Hospital and Guardianship<Substitution ChangeId="d29p2061" CommentaryRef="c20058921">Duration of authority and discharge</Substitution> Restrictions on discharge by nearest relative.251An order for the discharge of a patient who is liable to be detained in a hospital shall not be made under section 23 above by his nearest relative except after giving not less than 72 hours’ notice in writing to the managers of the hospital; and if, within 72 hours after such notice has been given, the responsible clinician furnishes to the managers a report certifying that in the opinion of that clinician the patient, if discharged, would be likely to act in a manner dangerous to other persons or to himself—aany order for the discharge of the patient made by that relative in pursuance of the notice shall be of no effect; andbno further order for the discharge of the patient shall be made by that relative during the period of six months beginning with the date of the report.1ASubsection (1) above shall apply to an order for the discharge of a community patient as it applies to an order for the discharge of a patient who is liable to be detained in a hospital, but with the reference to the managers of the hospital being read as a reference to the managers of the responsible hospital.2In any case where a report under subsection (1) above is furnished in respect of a patient who is liable to be detained in pursuance of an application for admission for treatment , or in respect of a community patient, the managers shall cause the nearest relative of the patient to be informed.Words in s. 25(1) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 3 para. 12(2) (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)Words in s. 25(1) substituted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 9(8)(a), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)Words in s. 25(1) substituted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 9(8)(b), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(b) (with art. 3, Sch.)S. 25(1A) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 3 para. 12(3) (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)Words in s. 25(2) inserted (3.11.2008) by Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32, 56, Sch. 3 para. 12(4) (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)S. 20: cross-heading substituted (3.11.2008) by virtue of Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 32(3), 56 (with Sch. 10); S.I. 2008/1900, art. 2(i) (with art. 3, Sch.)Pt. II (ss. 2–34) modified by Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 (c. 36, SIF 85), ss. 17(2), 78(2)Part II (ss. 2-34) modified (E.W.) (1.1.1992) by Criminal Procedure (Insanity and Unfitness to Plead) Act 1991 (c. 25, SIF 39:1), s. 5(1), Sch. 1 para.3 (with saving in s. 8); S.I. 1991/2488, art. 2