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Urgent authorisation

Definition in primary legislation

From:

Mental Capacity Act 2005, Schedule A1, Part 5

Legislation

Managing authority to give authorisation

74 Only the managing authority of the relevant hospital or care home may give an urgent authorisation.

75 The managing authority may give an urgent authorisation only if they are required to do so by paragraph 76 (as read with paragraph 77).

Duty to give authorisation

76(1) The managing authority must give an urgent authorisation in either of the following cases.

(2) The first case is where--

(a) the managing authority are required to make a request under paragraph 24 or 25 for a standard authorisation, and

(b) they believe that the need for the relevant person to be a detained resident is so urgent that it is appropriate for the detention to begin before they make the request.

(3) The second case is where--

(a) the managing authority have made a request under paragraph 24 or 25 for a standard authorisation, and

(b) they believe that the need for the relevant person to be a detained resident is so urgent that it is appropriate for the detention to begin before the request is disposed of.

(4) References in this paragraph to the detention of the relevant person are references to the detention to which paragraph 24 or 25 relates.

(5) This paragraph is subject to paragraph 77.

77(1) This paragraph applies where the managing authority have given an urgent authorisation (“the original authorisation”) in connection with a case where a person is, or is to be, a detained resident (“the existing detention”).
(2) No new urgent authorisation is to be given under paragraph 76 in connection with the existing detention.

(3) But the managing authority may request the supervisory body to extend the duration of the original authorisation.

(4) Only one request under sub-paragraph (3) may be made in relation to the original authorisation.

(5) Paragraphs 84 to 86 apply to any request made under sub-paragraph (3).

Terms of authorisation

78(1) If the managing authority decide to give an urgent authorisation, they must decide the period during which the authorisation is to be in force.
(2) That period must not exceed 7 days.

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