Mental Health

Mental health problems increasingly affect a significant proportion of the population and cause considerable distress to patients, family and carers alike. Patients detained under Mental Health Act provisions, or subject to guardianship or statutory supervision in the community are entitled to none means-tested legal representation, covering appeals to the Mental Health Review Tribunal. Punch Robson are one of the few firms of solicitors in the area who specialise in mental health law. We hold a Legal Services Commission contract and we are members of the Law Society Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel and the Mental Health Lawyers Association.

Our contract position enables us to provide mental health representation and advice which is, in most cases, free of charge; and with the approach of the amended Mental Health Act and the coming into being of community treatment orders, an increasing number of people will be affected by mental health legislation even though they may not be sufficiently unwell to require detention for treatment in hospital.

Please contact us for further information or advice whether you are a mental health service user, a near relative or carer. Mental health patients have a right to advice and representation, and with the introduction of the Human Rights Act a right to be treated within the least restrictive environment appropriate. We have experience in representing patients detained under both civil and criminal procedures including patients with age related problems and those caused by learning disability.