AMHP Legal Update 15 September 2026

Aims

The main aim is to give AMHPs an opportunity to update their legal knowledge and skills regarding work under the Mental Health Act 1983. This update has a focus on recent policy issues as well as case law developments.  At the end of the course AMHPs should have a better understanding of:

• Devon Partnership case (2021) and related Derbyshire case (2023);

• Judicial precedence;

• AM v SLAM (2013)

• GJ v The Foundation Trust (2009);

• Part III of the Mental Health Act and links with the work of the AMHP;

• The Nottingham Calocane case (Court of Appeal, 2024);

• Reform of the Mental Health Act (as outlined in the King’s Speech 2024).

Programme

• Case law and judicial precedents. A couple of examples.

• The use of video in MHA assessments:

• Devon Partnership case (2021) and the Derbyshire case (2023).

• AM v SLAM (2013). GJ v The Foundation Trust et.al (2009) practice issues.

• Part III of the MHA and overlap with the work of the AMHP.

• The Nottingham Calocane case and related AMHP issues.

• Law reform prospects. King’s Speech. Nominated persons.

Participants need to have available at the start of each webinar:

• The slides for the session, to enable them to take notes. For this purpose it is easiest to print out the slides three per page as that leaves room for notes.

• Any quizzes planned for either session. There will be time to complete these during the related sessions.

• A copy of the Mental Health Act 1983 (e.g. as contained in Jones’ Manual or in Barber, Brown & Martin – discounted copy via flyer. The Act is also available on line at legislation.gov.uk by typing in “Mental Health Act” & “1983”).

The course will be delivered by Rob Brown

Rob was a founding member and director of Edge. He retired as a director in 2015 but continues to deliver training regularly. He runs refresher courses for AMHPs and teaches s12 doctors and Approved Clinicians in England and Wales. He was a social worker from 1975-2025 and a MHA Commissioner from 1993 to 2010.

Rob is a Visiting Fellow at Bournemouth University. He provides consultation and supervision for AMHPs in Cornwall, Hampshire, Portsmouth, Lambeth, West Berkshire and the Isle of Wight . He has published widely in the field of mental health and mental capacity law. His most recent publication is "The Mental Capacity Act 2005” (4th edition, Sage, 2024)

BOOKING INFORMATION:

All Event bookings must be made online with payment made in full by credit/debit card.  We do not send invoices/use purchase order numbers for Event bookings for NHS delegates  (this policy does not affect our commissioned bookings)

Course access details will be emailed direct to delegate(s) upon completion of your booking.  

Includes all course materials and a certificate. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to email events@edgetraining.org.uk  or call 07341 277487.