http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/20/section/31Mental 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 Supplemental Procedure on applications to county court.31Rules of court which relate to applications authorised by this Part of this Act to be made to the county court may make provision—afor the hearing and determination of such applications otherwise than in open court;bfor the admission on the hearing of such applications of evidence of such descriptions as may be specified in the rules notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any enactment or rule of law relating to the admissibility of evidence;cfor the visiting and interviewing of patients in private by or under the directions of the court.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. 2Words in s. 31 substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 52; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)Words in s. 31 substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 112; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)