A statement of reasons is a document that explains why the Tribunal made a decision at a particular proceeding.
The Mental Heath Act 2016 provides that a person who was entitled to receive notice of a Tribunal decision in accordance with section 755(1) may request a statement of written reasons for that decision. For the Tribunal's most common hearings, those persons are:
For review of a treatment authority |
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For review of a forensic order |
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For review of a treatment support order |
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For review of a person's fitness for trial |
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For an application for electroconvulsive therapy |
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For an application for an examination authority |
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The Tribunal must comply with a valid request for a statement of reasons within 21 days after the day it receives the request.
If you would like to request a statement of reasons for a hearing in which you received notice of the Tribunal's decision, please make a written request via email or post which states:
- your name
- if you are not the patient, the patient's name
- the date of the hearing
Legal representatives: if you are requesting a statement of reasons on behalf of your client, please state this in your request.
Treating teams: if you are requesting a statement of reasons under a delegation from the Administrator of your authorised mental health service, please state this in your request.
Please note that where the Tribunal adjourns a hearing, the Tribunal is yet to make its decision and so a statement of reasons cannot be provided.
The Tribunal's contact details can be found here - Contact | MHRT