http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/section/20/enactedMental Capacity Act 2005Medical and psychiatric treatmentIncapacityKing's Printer of Acts of Parliament2021-08-04
Mental Capacity Act 2005s. 58(4)(ca)Powers of Attorney Act 2023Sch. para. 10s. 3(5)Mental Capacity Act 2005Sch. 1 para. 4APowers of Attorney Act 2023Sch. para. 3s. 3(5)Mental Capacity Act 2005Sch. 1 para. 10A and cross-headingPowers of Attorney Act 2023Sch. para. 6s. 3(5)Mental Capacity Act 2005Sch. 1 para. 13APowers of Attorney Act 2023Sch. para. 7(2)s. 3(5)Mental Capacity Act 2005Sch. 1 para. 16(1A)Powers of Attorney Act 2023Sch. para. 8(b)s. 3(5)Mental Capacity Act 2005s. 4CMental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019s. 1(3)s. 6(3)Mental Capacity Act 2005s. 21ZA and cross-headingMental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019s. 3s. 6(3)Mental Capacity Act 2005s. 36(2)(da)Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019Sch. 2 para. 4(4)s. 6(3)Mental Capacity Act 2005s. 42(1A)Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019s. 4(2)s. 6(3)Mental Capacity Act 2005s. 42(2A)(2B)Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019s. 4(3)s. 6(3)
Part 1Persons who lack capacityGeneral powers of the court and appointment of deputiesRestrictions on deputies
20
1
A deputy does not have power to make a decision on behalf of P in relation to a matter if he knows or has reasonable grounds for believing that P has capacity in relation to the matter.
2
Nothing in section 16(5) or 17 permits a deputy to be given power—
a
to prohibit a named person from having contact with P;
b
to direct a person responsible for P’s health care to allow a different person to take over that responsibility.
3
A deputy may not be given powers with respect to—
a
the settlement of any of P’s property, whether for P’s benefit or for the benefit of others,
b
the execution for P of a will, or
c
the exercise of any power (including a power to consent) vested in P whether beneficially or as trustee or otherwise.
4
A deputy may not be given power to make a decision on behalf of P which is inconsistent with a decision made, within the scope of his authority and in accordance with this Act, by the donee of a lasting power of attorney granted by P (or, if there is more than one donee, by any of them).
5
A deputy may not refuse consent to the carrying out or continuation of life-sustaining treatment in relation to P.
6
The authority conferred on a deputy is subject to the provisions of this Act and, in particular, sections 1 (the principles) and 4 (best interests).
7
A deputy may not do an act that is intended to restrain P unless four conditions are satisfied.
8
The first condition is that, in doing the act, the deputy is acting within the scope of an authority expressly conferred on him by the court.
9
The second is that P lacks, or the deputy reasonably believes that P lacks, capacity in relation to the matter in question.
10
The third is that the deputy reasonably believes that it is necessary to do the act in order to prevent harm to P.
11
The fourth is that the act is a proportionate response to—
a
the likelihood of P’s suffering harm, or
b
the seriousness of that harm.
12
For the purposes of this section, a deputy restrains P if he—
a
uses, or threatens to use, force to secure the doing of an act which P resists, or
b
restricts P’s liberty of movement, whether or not P resists,
or if he authorises another person to do any of those things.
13
But a deputy does more than merely restrain P if he deprives P of his liberty within the meaning of Article 5(1) of the Human Rights Convention (whether or not the deputy is a public authority).