Completely updated to provide guidance on this complex area of law, the Mental Health Act Manual aims to be an essential guide for anyone implementing or advising on the Mental Health Act.It brings together the Act, Code of Practice and related subordinate legislation, enabling practitioners to quickly and fully familiarize themselves with the Act. The manual also features comprehensive annotations which explain each section of the Act, make reference to case law and quote relevant extracts from Mental Health Act Commission guidance. Outlined in the process are the responsibilities and obligations of the parties involved, ensuring the Act is implemented correctly. A major feature in this edition is coverage of the Human Rights Act 1998, and the implications are addressed in the annotations to the Mental Health Act. Numerous cases are incorporated and key legislative changes, such as the effect of the Health Act 1999 for the provision of mental health services, are also covered.