Rights and laws

One of the most common questions put to our National Information and Advice Service is ‘what are my rights?’ In this section of the website, we provide some basic information about legislation and rights that effect people with mental health, which have been established through the courts.

Most people want to know where they stand, especially if they feel something is going wrong in relation to their care or treatment or at work.

In recent years, new laws have been introduced in England and Wales which improve the position of users and carers. These are:

  • Human Rights Act (2000)
  • Disability Discrimination Act (originally passed in 1995 but since amended)
  • Mental Capacity Act (2005)
  • The Mental Health Act (originally passed in 1983 but amended in 2007)

National Information and Advice Service

Woman on phone in office

Many questions about legal issues to do with mental illness are complicated to resolve and may require specialist knowledge.

At the National Information and Advice Service we will help with your enquiry ourselves or if you need specialist input or legal representation we can refer you to someone who can.

We also produce factsheets on issues related to mental illness. You may find the below information useful:

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