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Understanding mental capacity
Understanding mental capacity

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Week 3: Mental capacity and the law

Introduction

Mental capacity has a different legal framework in each UK nation. Despite the differences – such as the names and dates of the acts – each is underpinned by similar principles. This week you explore these principles and how they apply in real-life situations. To begin, you look at the historical background and how each of the acts developed.

By the end of this week you should be able to:

  • name the mental capacity law that applies to each nation of the UK
  • explain the principles of mental capacity as set out in law regardless of the UK nation to which they apply
  • describe in some detail each of the main principles of mental capacity
  • explain how the principles apply to real-life situations.