Legislation – Mental Health Act 2025

In section 118 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (duty to prepare code of practice, including principles which the person making it thinks should inform decisions under the Act) for subsection (2B) substitute—

“(2B)

The statement of principles must, in particular, include the principles, and address the matters, specified in the table.

Principle	Matters to be addressed
Choice and autonomy	involvement of patients in decision-making, and consideration of the views of carers and other interested parties
Least restriction	minimising restrictions on liberty so far as consistent with patient wellbeing and safety and public safety
Therapeutic benefit	effectiveness and appropriateness of treatment
The person as an individual	treating patients with dignity and respect and considering their attributes and past experiences”