Capacity and the law

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 in England and Wales

Adults who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) was designed to both empower these adults and protect them where necessary.

The following resources give guidance on the MCA:

Adults with Incapacity Act in Scotland

This act was implemented in 2000 and applies to adults over 16 years of age who lack the ability to make decisions for themselves. This link provides information on the act for health care workers.

The Social Care Institute for Excellence has published this guide to support people with cognitive impairment to make decisions.