Length:: 4:13 Mins

OF PRINCIPLES FROM THE EXPERTS

An appreciation by Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers

Many will agree that mental health law is confusing and the editors begin their Preface by writing of the shameful history of "benign, and sometimes malignant, neglect of persons with mental illness" from the past where the law plays a vital role in determining where persons with mental illness live, work and endure their everyday experiences. We now have a work which explains things in proper detail.

So, it's with this backdrop that the 5 recognised experts in this function of law have come together to provide a statement of the principles for an area of law which is principally domestic in origin but now shaped by international norms and, inevitably, human rights. In 28 main chapters and 1,000 pages, the ambitious and diverse goals of the book are uncovered.

The editors say that the book is doctrinal because it carefully examines the corpus of mental health law, regulation and guidance. As a result it's a rich resource for both practitioners and academics as well as laymen. The authors go beyond this aim to examine the theoretical and normative, offering perspectives on progressive mental health policy and examining empirical evidence such as tribunal functions and community treatment orders.

What is equally admirable about the book is the intended audience which is a clearly diverse and robust one. The text is widely accessible to all and the writers have succeeded in reaching a broad constituency ranging from law and government, health professionals, social work and those concerned for the welfare of one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations in our society.

The way the five parts of the book are assembled is by giving the individual editors specific chapters to cover in the detail they are familiar with. It's a heavy work in all senses and strives successfully to become what it will undoubtedly achieve now and that is an enduring resource for all involved in the humanity and welfare of persons living with mental disabilities.

Each of the excellent experts does achieve this interwoven set of goals to create a statement of mental health law principles which are so needed at the present time after the indecisions of past parliaments.