The Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland (Practice and Procedure) Rules 2005 No. 420

BAILII is celebrating 24 years of free online access to the law! Would you consider making a contribution?
No donation is too small. If every visitor before 31 December gives just £5, it will have a significant impact on BAILII's ability to continue providing free access to the law.
Thank you very much for your support!

[Home] [Databases] [World Law] [Multidatabase Search] [Help] [Feedback]

Statutory Instruments of the Scottish Parliament

You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Statutory Instruments of the Scottish Parliament >> The Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland (Practice and Procedure) Rules 2005 No. 420
URL: http://www.bailii.org/scot/legis/num_reg/2005/20050420.html

[New search] [Help]

SCOTTISH STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS

2005 No. 420
MENTAL HEALTH
The Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland (Practice and Procedure) Rules 2005

	Made	25th August 2005
	Laid before the Scottish Parliament	29th August 2005
	Coming into force	5th October 2005

ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS

PART I
INTRODUCTION

1.	Citation and commencement

2.	Interpretation

3.	Scope of the Rules

4.	The overriding objective

PART II
APPLICATIONS TO THE TRIBUNAL Short-term detention

5.	Application for revocation of short-term detention certificate or extension certificate under section 50 of the Act

Compulsory treatment orders

6.	Application for compulsory treatment order under section 63 of the Act

7.	Application for interim compulsory treatment order under section 65 of the Act

8.	Determination of application for compulsory treatment order where section 68 of the Act applies: special case

9.	Application for extension and variation of compulsory treatment order under section 92 of the Act and variation of compulsory treatment order under section 95 of the Act

10.	Application by patient etc. under section 99 of the Act for revocation of determination extending compulsory treatment order and for revocation or variation of a compulsory treatment order under section 100 of the Act

11.	Application by patient etc. under section 120 of the Act for revocation of certificates under sections 114(2) and 115(2) of the Act

Compulsion orders

12.	Application by responsible medical officer under sections 149, 158 and 161 of the Act

13.

Application by patient etc. for revocation of determination extending compulsion order under section 163 of the Act, for revocation or variation of a compulsion order under section 164 of the Act and under section 120 of the Act for revocation of a certificate under section 114(2) of the Act as applied with modifications by section 177 of the Act

Compulsion orders and restriction orders

14.	Application under section 191 of the Act by the Scottish Ministers for an order under section 193 of the Act

15.	Application by patient etc. under section 192 of the Act for order under section 193 of the Act

Hospital directions and transfer for treatment directions

16.	Application by patient and named person for revocation of hospital direction or transfer for treatment direction under section 214(2) of the Act

Named person

17.	Application by mental health officer under section 255, and patient etc. under section 256, of the Act for appointment of named person

Informal patients

18.	Application to Tribunal under section 291 of the Act in relation to unlawful detention

19.	Notice of response under Part II

20.	Withdrawal of application

21.	Amendment of application or notice of response

PART III
APPEALS TO THE TRIBUNAL

22.	Scope of this Part

23.	Initiating appeals to the Tribunal

24.	Notice of the appeal

25.	Notice of response under Part III

26.	Withdrawal of appeal

27.	Withdrawal of opposition

28.	Amendment of appeal or notice of response

PART IV
REFERENCES TO THE TRIBUNAL

29.	Scope of this Part

30.	Notice of reference

31.	Notice of response

32.	Withdrawal of notice of response

33.	Amendment of reference or notice of response

PART V
REVIEWS

34.	Scope of this Part

35.	Notice of review

36.	Notice of response

37.	Withdrawal of notice of response

38.	Amendment of notice of response

PART VI
CASES REMITTED TO THE TRIBUNAL

39.	Scope of this Part

40.	Application of these Rules

PART VII
GENERAL RULES

41.	Scope of this Part

42.	Disqualification

43.	Interim or preliminary matters

44.	Misconceived case

45.	Lodging of documents etc.

46.	Distribution and disclosure of documents

47.	Withholding documents or reports from disclosure in exceptional circumstances

48.	Additional parties and relevant persons

49.	Directions

50.	Varying or setting aside of directions

51.	Failure to comply with directions

52.	Other case management powers

53.	Assistance to persons with communication difficulties

54.	Representation

55.	Curator ad litem

56.

Notices

57.	Alteration of hearing

58.	Power to decide case without a hearing

Evidence

59.	Production of documents etc.

60.	Evidence of witnesses– general rule

61.	Attendance of witnesses

62.	Experts' reports

The hearing

63.

Procedure

64.	Absence of a member of the Tribunal

65.	Adjournment of the hearing

66.	Hearings in public or private

67.

Publicity

68.	Excluding persons from hearings in exceptional circumstances

69.	Exclusion of persons disrupting hearing

70.	Failure of a relevant person to attend

71.	Inability to attend

72.	Decision of the Tribunal

73.	Publication

Miscellaneous

74.	Performance of the Tribunal's functions

75.	Relief from failure to comply with the Rules

76.	Signature of documents

77.	Proof of documents

78.	Method of delivering and receipt of notices and documents

79.	Transfer of case

The Scottish Ministers, in exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph 10 of schedule 2 to the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003[1] and after consultation with the Council on Tribunals and its Scottish Committee in accordance with section 8(1) and (3) of the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992[2], hereby make the following Rules:

PART I
INTRODUCTION
Citation and commencement
1. These Rules may be cited as the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland (Practice and Procedure) Rules 2005 and shall come into force on 5th October 2005.

Interpretation
2. —(1) In these Rules—

"the Act" means the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003;

"appellant" means a person who appeals to the Tribunal under or by virtue of any of the sections of the Act specified in Part III of these Rules;

"applicant" means a person who makes an application to the Tribunal under the Act;

"Clerk" means a member of staff of the Tribunal employed to carry out the administration of the Tribunal or to act as clerk at a hearing of the Tribunal;

"Convener" means the President or a person selected by the President from the panel mentioned in paragraph 1(1)(a) or 2 of schedule 2 to the Act;

"electronic communication" has the meaning given to it by section 15(1) of Electronic Communications Act 2000[

"hearing" means a sitting of the Tribunal for the purpose of enabling the Tribunal to take a decision on any matter relating to the case before it;

"notice" means notice in writing;

"the overriding objective" means the overriding objective described in rule 4;

"party" means–

"patient" means the patient to whom the proceedings relate;

"relevant person" means any party and any other person who sends a notice of response under Part II, IV or V of these Rules indicating a wish to make representations or to lead or produce evidence;

"President" means the President of the Tribunal;

"referee" means a person who makes a reference to the Tribunal under the Act;

"respondent" means the person who made the decision which is the subject of appeal under or by virtue of Part III of these Rules;

"Tribunal" means the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland and "tribunal" means a tribunal constituted under sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 7 of schedule 2 to the Act to discharge the functions of the Tribunal; and

"working day" means a day which is not–

    (2) Any reference in these Rules to a rule is a reference to a rule in these Rules, and in any rule a reference to a paragraph or sub-paragraph is, unless otherwise expressly provided, a reference to a paragraph or sub-paragraph in the rule.

    (3) Where the time specified by these Rules for doing any act ends on a Saturday, Sunday or a day which is a bank holiday in Scotland under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 that act is done in time if it is done on the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday.

Scope of the Rules
     3. These Rules apply to the following proceedings:–

(a) applications to the Tribunal;

(b) references to the Tribunal;

(c) appeals to the Tribunal;

(d) reviews by the Tribunal; and

(e) cases remitted to the Tribunal under section 324(5)(b)(ii) of the Act.

The overriding objective
4. The overriding objective of these Rules is to secure that proceedings before the Tribunal are handled as fairly, expeditiously and efficiently as possible.

PART II
APPLICATIONS TO THE TRIBUNAL
Short-term detention
Application for revocation of short-term detention certificate or extension certificate under section 50 of the Act
5. —(1) An application to the Tribunal for revocation of a short-term detention certificate under section 50 of the Act shall be made in writing.

(2) The application shall state–

    (3) The applicant shall sign the application.

    (4) The Clerk shall send a copy of the application to the parties.

    (5) Upon receipt of the application the Clerk shall fix a hearing as soon as possible.

    (6) The Clerk shall send notice of the application to the following persons–

ad litem

(7) Notice under paragraph (6) shall inform the persons–

(c) of the date, time and place of the hearing; and

(d) that if they wish to make representations or lead or produce evidence, they must respond to the notice within the period specified in the notice.

(8) If a person mentioned in paragraph (6) wishes to make representations (whether orally or in writing) or to lead or produce evidence, that person shall within the period specified in the notice–

    (9) The Clerk shall send a copy of each notice of response and any documents received under paragraph (8) to each party.

    (10) Where at the hearing on an application to which this rule applies the Tribunal does not decide the application, it shall fix a further hearing.

    (11) The Tribunal may on fixing a further hearing under paragraph (10) do any of the following as it thinks fit:–

(b) take any steps required by rule 53 to secure the needs of a person with communication difficulties;

(c) appoint a curator ad litem as necessary to meet the circumstances narrated in rule 55(2);

(d) decide any request or interim application made by any relevant person in relation to the case before the Tribunal.

(12) Before fixing a further hearing and doing any of those things referred to in paragraph (11), the Tribunal shall afford the relevant persons who are present an opportunity to be heard.

Compulsory treatment orders
Application for compulsory treatment order under section 63 of the Act
     6. —(1) An application for a compulsory treatment order shall state the matters specified in section 63(2) of the Act.

    (2) The Clerk shall send a copy of the application and any accompanying documents mentioned in section 63(3) of the Act to the patient and the patient's named person.

    (3) The Clerk shall send a notice of the application together with a copy of the proposed care plan to the following persons:–

ad litem

(4) Notice under paragraph (3) shall inform the persons–

in relation to the making of an order under section 63 of the Act.

(a) the name and address of the applicant;

(b) the name and address of the patient;

(c) the name and address of the patient's named person;

(d) where the patient is detained, the name and address of the hospital where the patient is detained;

(e) the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 64(5) of the Act in respect of the patient; and

(f) the measures mentioned in section 66(1) of the Act that are sought in relation to the patient.

(2) The applicant shall sign the application.

(3) The Clerk shall send a notice of the application to the following persons:–

(a) the patient;

(b) the patient's named person;

(c) any guardian of the patient;

(d) any welfare attorney of the patient;

(e) the mental health officer;

(f) if the patient has a responsible medical officer, that officer;

(g) the medical practitioners who submitted the mental health reports which accompany the application under section 63 of the Act;

(h) the patient's primary carer;

(i) any curator ad litem appointed in respect of the patient by the Tribunal; and

(j) any other person appearing to the Tribunal to have an interest in that application.

(4) Notice under paragraph (3) shall inform the persons–

(a) of the case number of the application (which must from then on be referred to in all correspondence relating to the application);

(b) that an application for an interim compulsory treatment order has been made;

(c) of the measures that are sought in the application;

(d) of the date, time and place of the hearing;

(e) they are being afforded the opportunity–

in relation to the making of an order under section 65 of the Act; and

(f) that if they wish to make representations or to lead or produce evidence, they must respond to the notice within the period specified in the notice.

(5) If a person mentioned in paragraph (3) wishes to make representations (whether orally or in writing) or to lead or produce evidence, that person shall within the period specified in the notice–

(a) send a notice of response to the Tribunal; and

(b) send to the Tribunal a copy of any documents the person intends to rely upon at the hearing.

    (6) The Clerk shall send a copy of each notice of response and any documents to each party.

Determination of application for compulsory treatment order where section 68 of the Act applies: special case
     8. —(1) This rule applies where an application is made under section 63 of the Act and section 68 of the Act applies.

    (2) Before the expiry of the period of 5 days referred to in section 68(2)(a) of the Act, the Tribunal shall hold a hearing ("a first hearing") in order to determine whether an interim compulsory order should be made and, if it determines it should not be made, to determine the application.

    (3) Where the Tribunal–

(a) makes an interim compulsory treatment order that authorises the detention of the patient in hospital; and

(b) does not determine that a compulsory treatment order should not be made,

it shall fix a further hearing.

(4) The Tribunal may on fixing a further hearing under paragraph (3), do any of the following as it thinks fit:–

(a) it may give directions as to–

    (5) Before fixing a further hearing and doing any of those things referred to in paragraph (4), the Tribunal shall afford the relevant persons who are present an opportunity to be heard.

Application for extension and variation of compulsory treatment order under section 92 of the Act and variation of compulsory treatment order under section 95 of the Act
     9. —(1) An application for extension and variation of a compulsory treatment order under section 92 of the Act and an application for variation of a compulsory treatment order under section 95 of the Act shall state the matters mentioned in section 92(a) or, as the case may be, 95(a), of the Act.

    (2) The Clerk shall send a copy of the application and any accompanying documents prescribed by virtue of section 92(b) or, as the case may be, section 95(b), of the Act to the patient and the patient's named person.

    (3) The Clerk shall send notice of the application to–

(a) the patient;

(b) the patient's named person;

(c) any guardian of the patient;

(d) any welfare attorney of the patient;

(e) the mental health officer;

(f) the patient's responsible medical officer;

(g) the patient's primary carer;

(h) any curator ad litem; and

(i) any other person appearing to the Tribunal to have an interest in the application.

(4) Notice under paragraph (3) shall inform the persons–

(a) of the case number of the application (which must from then on be referred to in all correspondence relating to the application);

(b) that the application has been made and the orders sought in the application;

(c) of the terms of the existing compulsory treatment order;

(d) of the date, time and place of the hearing; and

(e) that they are being afforded the opportunity–

    (5) If a person mentioned in paragraph (3) wishes to make representations (whether orally or in writing) or to lead or produce evidence, that person shall send a notice of response to the Tribunal within 14 days of receipt of the notice under that paragraph or within such other period specified in that notice.

    (6) The Clerk shall send a copy of each notice of response to each party.

Application by patient etc. under section 99 of the Act for revocation of determination extending compulsory treatment order and for revocation or variation of a compulsory treatment order under section 100 of the Act
     10. —(1) An application under section 99 or 100 of the Act shall be made in writing.

    (2) The application shall state–

(a) the name and address of the applicant;

(b) the name and address of the patient;

(c) the name and address of the patient's named person;

(d) where the patient is detained, the name and address of the hospital where the patient is detained;

(e) where the patient is required to reside at a specified place, the address of that specified place; and

(f) a brief statement of the reasons for the application.

    (3) The applicant shall sign the application.

    (4) The Clerk shall send a copy of the application to the patient's responsible medical officer.

    (5) The Clerk shall send notice of the application to–

(6) Notice under paragraph (5) shall inform the persons–

(a) of the case number of the application (which must from then on be referred to in all correspondence relating to the application);

(b) that the application has been made;

(c) of the orders sought in the application;

(d) of the terms of the existing compulsory treatment order;

(e) of the date, time and place of the hearing; and

(f) that they are being afforded the opportunity–

    (7) If a person mentioned in paragraph (5) wishes to make representations (whether orally or in writing) or to lead or produce evidence, that person shall send a notice of response to the Tribunal within 14 days of receipt of the notice or within such other period specified in the notice.

    (8) The Clerk shall send a copy of each notice of response to each party.

Application by patient etc. under section 120 of the Act for revocation of certificates under sections 114(2) and 115(2) of the Act
     11. —(1) An application under section 120 to the Tribunal for revocation of a certificate under section 114(2) or 115(2) of the Act shall be made in writing.

    (2) The application shall state–

(a) the name and address of the applicant;

(b) the name and address of the patient;

(c) the name and address of the patient's named person, if known;

(d) where the patient is detained, the name and address of the hospital where the patient is detained;

(e) where the patient is required to reside at a specified place, the address of that specified place; and

(f) a brief statement of the reasons for the application.

    (3) The applicant shall sign the application.

    (4) Upon receipt of the application the Clerk shall fix a hearing as soon as possible.

    (5) The Clerk shall send a copy of the application together with notice of the application to the parties.

    (6) Notice under paragraph (5) shall inform the parties–

(a) of the case number of the application (which must from then on be referred to in all correspondence relating to the application); and

(b) of the date, time and place of the hearing.

(7) If a party wishes to make representations (whether orally or in writing) or to lead or produce evidence, that person shall within the period specified in the notice–

(a) send a notice of response to the Tribunal; and

(b) send to the Tribunal a copy of any document the person intends to rely upon at the hearing.

    (8) The Clerk shall send a copy of any notice of response and any documents received under paragraph (7) to each party.

    (9) Where at the hearing on an application to which this rule applies the Tribunal does not decide the application, it shall fix a further hearing.

    (10) The Tribunal may on fixing a further hearing under paragraph (9) do any of the following as it thinks fit;–

(a) it may give directions as to–

(11) Before fixing a further hearing and doing any of those things referred to in paragraph (10), the Tribunal shall afford the relevant persons who are present an opportunity to be heard.

Compulsion orders
Application by responsible medical officer under sections 149, 158 and 161 of the Act
12. —(1) An application by a patient's responsible medical officer to the Tribunal–

(2) The Clerk shall send a copy of the application and any accompanying documents prescribed in respect of each application by regulations under section 149(b), 158(b) or, as the case may be, 161(b) of the Act to the patient and the patient's named person.

(3) The Clerk shall send notice of the application to–

ad litem

(4) Notice under paragraph (3) shall inform the persons–

    (5) If a person mentioned in paragraph (3) wishes to make representations (whether orally or in writing) or to lead or produce evidence, that person shall send a notice of response to the Tribunal within 14 days of receipt of the notice or such other period specified in the notice.

    (6) The Clerk shall send a copy of each notice of response to each party.

Application by patient etc. for revocation of determination extending compulsion order under section 163 of the Act, for revocation or variation of a compulsion order under section 164 of the Act and under section 120 of the Act for revocation of a certificate under section 114(2) of the Act as applied with modifications by section 177 of the Act
     13. —(1) An application for revocation of a determination extending a compulsion order under section 163 of the Act or for revocation and variation of a compulsion order under section 164 of the Act shall be made in writing and shall state–

(a) the name and address of the applicant;

(b) the name and address of the patient;

(c) the name and address of the patient's named person;

(d) where the patient is detained, the name and address of the hospital where the patient is detained;

(e) where the patient is required to reside at a specified place, the address of that specified place; and

(f) a brief statement of the reasons for the application.

(2) The applicant shall sign the application.

(3) The Clerk shall send notice of the application to–

(a) the patient;

(b) the patient's named person;

(c) any guardian of the patient;

(d) any welfare attorney of the patient;

(e) the mental health officer;

(f) the patient's responsible medical officer;

(g) the patient's primary carer;

(h) any curator ad litem appointed in respect of the patient by the Tribunal; and

(i) any other person appearing to the Tribunal to have an interest in the application.

(4) Notice under paragraph (3) shall inform the persons–

(a) of the case number of the application (which must from then on be referred to in all correspondence relating to the application);

(b) that the application has been made and the orders sought in the application;

(c) of the terms of the existing order;

(d) of the date, time and place of the hearing;

(e) that they are being afforded the opportunity–

    (5) If a person mentioned in paragraph (3) wishes to make representations (whether orally or in writing) or to lead or produce evidence, that person shall send a notice of response to the Tribunal within 14 days of receipt of the notice under that paragraph or within such other period specified in that notice.

    (6) The Clerk shall send a copy of each notice of response to each party.

    (7) Rule 11 shall apply to an application under section 120, as applied by section 177, of the Act for revocation of a certificate under section 114(2) of the Act; the reference in paragraph (1) of that rule to section 120 shall be read as a reference to section 120 as modified by section 177 of the Act.

Compulsion orders and restriction orders
Application under section 191 of the Act by the Scottish Ministers for an order under section 193 of the Act
     14. —(1) An application under section 191 of the Act by the Scottish Ministers for an order under section 193 of the Act shall state the matters mentioned in section 191(a) of the Act.

    (2) The Clerk shall send a copy of the application and any accompanying documents prescribed by virtue of section 191(b) of the Act to the patient and the patient's named person.

    (3) The Clerk shall send notice of the application to the following persons:–

ad litem

(4) Notice under paragraph (3) shall inform the persons–

(a) the name and address of the applicant;

(b) the name and address of the patient;

(c) the name and address of the patient's named person;

(d) where the patient is detained, the name and address of the hospital where the patient is detained;

(e) where the patient is required to reside at a specified place, the address of that specified place;

(f) the name of the patient's responsible medical officer;

(g) the order sought; and

(h) a brief statement of the reasons for the application.

    (2) The applicant shall sign the application.

    (3) The Clerk shall send a copy of the application to the patient's responsible medical officer and the Scottish Ministers.

    (4) The Clerk shall send notice of the application to the following persons:–

(a) the patient;

(b) the patient's named person;

(c) the patient's primary carer;

(d) any guardian of the patient;

(e) any welfare attorney of the patient;

(f) any curator ad litem appointed by the Tribunal in respect of the patient;

(g) the Scottish Ministers;

(h) the patient's responsible medical officer;

(i) the mental health officer; and

(j) any other person appearing to the Tribunal to have an interest.

(5) Notice under paragraph (4) shall inform the persons–

(a) of the case number of the application (which must from then on be referred to in all correspondence relating to the application);

(b) that the application has been made and the order sought in the application;

(c) of the terms of the existing order;

(d) of the date, time and place of the hearing;

(e) that they are being afforded the opportunity–

(6) If a person mentioned in paragraph (4) wishes to make representations (whether orally or in writing) or to lead or produce evidence, that person shall send a notice of response to the Tribunal within 14 days of receipt of the notice under that paragraph or within such other period specified in that notice.

(7) The Clerk shall send a copy of each notice of response to each party.

Hospital directions and transfer for treatment directions
Application by patient and named person for revocation of hospital direction or transfer for treatment direction under section 214(2) of the Act
16. —(1) An application under section 214(2) of the Act shall be made in writing.

(2) The application shall state–

    (3) The applicant shall sign the application.

    (4) The Clerk shall send a copy of the application to the patient's responsible medical practitioner and the Scottish Ministers.

    (5) The Clerk shall send notice of the application to the following persons:–

ad litem

(6) Notice under paragraph (5) shall inform the persons–

Named person
Application by mental health officer under section 255, and patient etc. under section 256, of the Act for appointment of named person
17. —(1) Subject to paragraph (5) of this rule, an application under section 255 or section 256 for appointment of a named person shall be made in writing.

(2) The Clerk shall send a copy of the application–

together with notice of the case number of the application (which must from then on be referred to in all correspondence relating to the application).

    (3) If a person mentioned in paragraph (2) wishes to make representations (whether orally or in writing) or lead or produce evidence, that person shall send a notice of response to the Tribunal within 14 days of receipt of the copy application under that paragraph or within such other period specified in a notice sent with the copy application.

    (4) The Clerk shall send a copy of each notice of response to each party and any person whom it is proposed in the application should be the patient's named person.

    (5) Where it considers it expedient to do so, the Tribunal may permit an application to which this rule applies to be made by oral request and, in that event, the Tribunal shall take such steps as are reasonably practical to inform the persons mentioned in paragraph (2) of the application and to allow them to be heard on the application.

Informal patients
Application to Tribunal under section 291 of the Act in relation to unlawful detention
18. —(1) An application to the Tribunal under section 291 for an order requiring the managers of the hospital to cease to detain the patient shall be made in writing.

(2) The application shall state–

    (3) The applicant shall sign the application.

    (4) The Clerk shall send a copy of the application to the hospital managers and the patient.

    (5) The Clerk shall notify the hospital managers–

    (6) If the hospital managers wish to make representations (whether orally or in writing) or lead or produce evidence, they shall send a notice of response to the Tribunal as soon as reasonably practicable or within such other period specified in that notice.

    (7) The Clerk shall send a copy of the notice of response to each party.

Notice of response under Part II
     19. A notice of response by any of the persons who are given notice under this Part shall be made in writing and shall state–

(a) the name and address of the person;

(b) the case reference number;

(c) whether the person wishes to make representations, either orally or in writing; and

(d) whether the person wishes to lead, or produce, evidence.

Withdrawal of application
20. —(1) Where an application is made to the Tribunal under section 50, 63, 99, 100, 120, 163, 164, 192 or 214 of the Act, an applicant may withdraw that application–

(a) at any time before the hearing of the application by sending to the Clerk a notice signed by the applicant; or

(b) at the hearing on the application.

    (2) On receipt of any such notice, the Clerk shall send a copy to the relevant persons.

    (3) Where an applicant gives notice under paragraph (1), the Tribunal may terminate the proceedings without making any order.

Amendment of application or notice of response
     21. —(1) A relevant person may, at any time before notification of the date of the hearing of the application, amend the application or the notice of response by sending notice of any amendment to the Clerk.

    (2) A relevant person may amend the application or the notice of response with the permission of the Tribunal at any time after receiving notification of the date of the hearing or, with the permission of the Convener, at the hearing itself.

    (3) On receipt of any amendment, the Clerk shall send a copy to the parties.

PART III
APPEALS TO THE TRIBUNAL
Scope of this Part
22. This Part applies to appeals to the Tribunal under, or by virtue of, the following sections of the Act:–

Initiating appeals to the Tribunal
23. —(1) An appeal to the Tribunal shall be made in writing and shall state–

(a) the name and address of the appellant;

(b) the name and address of the patient;

(c) the name and address of the patient's named person;

(d) where the patient is detained, the name and address of the hospital where the patient is detained;

(e) where the patient is required to reside at a specified place, the address of that specified place;

(f) the matter which is being appealed;

(g) a brief statement setting out the reasons for the appeal.

(2) The appellant shall sign the appeal.

Notice of the appeal
24. —(1) The Clerk shall send a copy of the appeal to–

(a) the patient;

(b) the patient's named person; and

(c) the respondent.

(2) The Clerk shall send a notice of the appeal to the respondent.

(3) The notice shall inform the respondent–

(a) of the case number of the appeal (which must from then on be referred to in all correspondence relating to the appeal);

(b) of the date, time and place of the hearing; and

(c) that if the respondent wishes to make representations or lead or produce evidence, the respondent should send a notice of response to the Tribunal within the period specified in the notice.

Notice of response under Part III
25. —(1) If the respondent wishes to make representations (whether orally or in writing) or lead or produce evidence, the respondent shall send a notice of response to the Tribunal within 21 days of receipt of the notice by the respondent under rule 24 or within such other period specified in that notice.

(2) The notice of response shall state–

(a) the name and address of the respondent;

(b) the case reference number;

(c) whether the respondent wishes to make representations, either orally or in writing;

(d) whether the respondent wishes to lead, or produce, evidence;

(e) whether the respondent intends to oppose the appeal and the basis of the opposition.

(3) The Clerk shall send a copy of the notice of response to parties.

Withdrawal of appeal
26. —(1) An appellant may withdraw their appeal–

(a) at any time before the hearing of the appeal by sending to the Clerk a notice signed by the appellant; or

(b) at the hearing of the appeal.

    (2) On receipt of any such notice, the Clerk shall send a copy to the respondent.

    (3) No further appeal may be brought by the appellant in relation to the decision which was the subject of the appeal withdrawn.

Withdrawal of opposition
     27. —(1) The respondent may withdraw their opposition to the appeal–

(a) at any time before the hearing of the appeal by sending to the Clerk a notice signed by the respondent; or

(b) at the hearing on the appeal.

    (2) On receipt of any such notice, the Clerk shall send a copy to the appellant.

Amendment of appeal or notice of response
     28. —(1) A party may, at any time before notification of the date of the hearing of the appeal, amend the appeal or the notice of response by sending a notice of any amendment to the Clerk.

    (2) A party may amend the appeal or the notice of response with the permission of the Tribunal at any time after receiving notification of the date of the hearing or with the permission of the Convener at the hearing itself.

    (3) On receipt of any amendment, the Clerk shall send a copy to any other party.

PART IV
REFERENCES TO THE TRIBUNAL
Scope of this Part
29. This Part applies to references to the Tribunal under the following sections of the Act–

Notice of reference
30. —(1) The Clerk shall send notice of the reference–

(a) under section 96(3), 98(2), 162(2) or under regulations under section 290(1) of the Act, as the case may be, to–

ad litem

(b) under section 185(1), 187(2),189(2), 210(3), 211(2) or 213(2) of the Act, as the case may be, to–

ad litem

(2) The notice shall inform the persons–

(a) of the case number of the reference (which must from then on be referred to in all correspondence relating to the reference);

(b) that they are being afforded the opportunity–

Notice of response
31. —(1) If any person mentioned in rule 30 wishes to make representations (whether orally or in writing) or lead or produce evidence, that person shall send a notice of response to the Tribunal within 21 days of receipt of the notice under that rule or within such other period specified in that notice.

(2) The notice of response shall state–

(a) the name and address of the person making the response;

(b) the case reference number;

(c) whether the person wishes to make representations, either orally or in writing;

(d) whether the person wishes to lead, or produce, evidence; and

(e) a statement of the facts and contentions on which the person intends to rely.

(3) The Clerk shall send a copy of each notice of response to each party.

Withdrawal of notice of response
32. —(1) A person who has sent a notice of response under rule 31 may withdraw the notice of response–

(a) at any time before the hearing by sending to the Clerk a notice signed by the person; or

(b) at the hearing.

    (2) On receipt of any such notice, the Clerk shall send a copy of that notice to each party.

Amendment of reference or notice of response
     33. —(1) A referee or a person who has sent a notice of response under rule 31, as the case may be, may at any time before notification of the date of the hearing, amend the reference or notice of response by sending notice of any amendment to the Clerk.

    (2) A referee or such a person may amend the reference or notice of response with the permission of the Tribunal at any time after receiving notification of the date of the hearing or with the permission of the Convener at the hearing itself.

    (3) On receipt of any amendment, the Clerk shall send a copy to each party.

PART V
REVIEWS
Scope of this Part
34. This Part applies to reviews by the Tribunal under section 101(2) (review of determination extending compulsory treatment order under section 86 of the Act) and 165(2) (review of determination by responsible medical officer extending compulsion order under section 152 of the Act) of the Act.

Notice of review
35. —(1) Where the Tribunal intend to review a determination under section 101(2) or 165(2) of the Act, the Clerk shall send notice of review to the following persons:–

ad litem

(2) The notice shall inform the persons–

Notice of response
36. —(1) If any person mentioned in rule 35(1) wishes to make representations (whether orally or in writing) or lead or produce evidence, that person shall send a notice of response to the Tribunal within 21 days of receipt of the notice under that rule or within such other period specified in that notice.

(2) The notice of response shall state–

(a) the name and address of the person making the response;

(b) the case reference number;

(c) whether the person wishes to make representations, either orally or in writing;

(d) whether the person wishes to lead, or produce, evidence;

(e) a statement of the facts and contentions on which the person intends to rely.

(3) The Clerk shall send a copy of each notice of response to each party.

Withdrawal of notice of response
37. —(1) A person who has sent a notice of response under rule 36 may withdraw their notice of response–

(a) at any time before the hearing by sending to the Clerk a notice signed by the person; or

(b) at the hearing.

    (2) On receipt of any such notice, the Clerk shall send a copy to each party.

Amendment of notice of response
     38. —(1) A person who has sent a notice of response under rule 36 may, at any time before notification of the date of the hearing, amend the notice of response by sending notice of any amendment to the Clerk.

    (2) Such a person may amend the notice of response with the permission of the Tribunal at any time after receiving notification of the date of the hearing or with the permission of the Convener at the hearing itself.

    (3) On receipt of any amendment, the Clerk shall send a copy to each party.

PART VI
CASES REMITTED TO THE TRIBUNAL
Scope of this Part
     39. This Part applies to cases remitted to the Tribunal by the court under section 324(5)(b)(ii) of the Act.

Application of these Rules
     40. —(1) Subject to any directions made by the court under section 324(6) of the Act and by the Tribunal under paragraph (2), these Rules shall apply to cases remitted to the Tribunal as they do to cases before the Tribunal.

    (2) After the case is remitted, the Tribunal shall consider and determine which of these Rules shall apply to that case and issue such directions as it thinks fit.

PART VII
GENERAL RULES
Scope of this Part
     41. —(1) This Part applies generally to cases before the Tribunal.

    (2) The cases referred to in paragraph (1) include an application, reference, appeal or review before the Tribunal, and to any case referred to in Part VI, as the Tribunal may determine.

Disqualification
     42. —(1) A person shall be disqualified from serving as a member of a tribunal in any case if that person–

Interim or preliminary matters
     43. —(1) The Tribunal may, either on the written request of a relevant person or on its own initiative, consider and determine any interim or preliminary matter in relation to the case including any matter for which specific provision is made in this Part.

    (2) Any matter referred to in paragraph (1) may be considered by the Convener alone or with such other members as the Tribunal may direct

    (3) Before determining such a matter, the Tribunal or the Convener, as the case may be, may–

(a) send notice to any of the relevant persons inviting them to make written representations within such period as may be specified; or

(b) summon any of the relevant persons to appear before the Tribunal or Convener for a preliminary hearing and may give any necessary directions relating to their appearance.

Misconceived case
44. —(1) A case before the Tribunal is misconceived if it is–

(a) outwith the jurisdiction of the Tribunal;

(b) made otherwise than in accordance with these Rules and has no reasonable prospect of success; or

(c) frivolous or vexatious.

    (2) Where a case appears to the Clerk to be misconceived, the Clerk shall refer the case to a Convener.

    (3) The Convener may decide whether the case is misconceived either alone or with such other members as the Tribunal may direct.

    (4) Before dismissing a case as misconceived, the Convener may–

(a) send notice of the proposed dismissal to the relevant persons inviting them to make written representations within 28 days or such other period as may be specified by the Convener;

(b) afford the relevant persons an opportunity to be heard.

    (5) The Convener may where appropriate, on dismissing a misconceived application refer the matter to the Commission.

    (6) Rule 72 shall apply to a decision made under this rule.

Lodging of documents etc.
     45. —(1) Except as otherwise provided in these Rules or as specified by the Tribunal in a particular case, a relevant person shall send to the Tribunal seven days prior to any hearing–

(a) a list of documents and the documents that the relevant person wishes to lead as evidence;

(b) a list of witnesses whom the relevant person wishes to call; and

(c) any written representations the relevant person wishes to make.

    (2) Where a relevant person seeks to rely upon documents not produced in accordance with paragraph (1), the Tribunal may allow the documents to be lodged late where good reason is given.

    (3) In determining whether to allow documents to be lodged late, the Tribunal shall have regard to whether to do so is fair in all the circumstances.

Distribution and disclosure of documents
     46. —(1) Except as otherwise provided for in these Rules, the Clerk shall as soon as reasonably practicable send a copy of any document received in relation to the proceedings to the parties.

    (2) At the request of any relevant person, or on its own initiative, the Tribunal or a Convener may determine whether a document should also be sent to any other person.

    (3) A request for non-disclosure of any document or part of it in connection with proceedings before the Tribunal shall be made in writing by the person sending the document when that document is sent to the Tribunal, indicating the words and passages for which non-disclosure is claimed and giving reasons in each instance.

    (4) If so directed by the Convener or the Tribunal, the person making the request under paragraph (3) shall, where practicable, supply a disclosable version of the relevant document.

    (5) On receipt of a request under paragraph (3), the Convener or the Tribunal shall determine whether the request shall be intimated to any person and the Clerk shall intimate the request to such a person inviting that person–

(a) to make written representations within such period as may be specified; or

(b) to make representations at a hearing on such date as specified in the notice.

(6) After considering the reasons given with the request and any representations under paragraph (5), the Tribunal may direct that–

(a) all or any part of the document should not be disclosed; and

(b) where a version has been provided under paragraph (4), that version will be disclosed in place of the relevant document.

Withholding documents or reports from disclosure in exceptional circumstances
47. —(1) This rule applies to documents or reports received by the Tribunal where the Convener or the Tribunal is satisfied, that disclosure of all or any part of the contents of a document or report–

(a) may cause serious harm to the patient or any other person such that it would be wrong to disclose it to the patient or another person; but

(b) that in all the circumstances it would nevertheless not be unfair if the document or report or that part of it is considered by the Tribunal.

(2) The Convener or the Tribunal may appoint a person having appropriate skills or experience to–

(a) assess whether disclosure of the document or report to a patient or another person may cause serious harm; and

(b) report on the matter.

(a) the document or report may be considered by the Tribunal; and

(b) all or any part of its contents must not be disclosed to such persons as specified by the Convener.

    (7) The Tribunal shall notify the representative of the patient or other person to whom the document, report or any part of it is not to be disclosed, that such a decision has been made, and the reasons for that decision.

    (8) Where a decision is made not to disclose a document, report or any part of it to a patient and the patient does not have a representative to represent their interests, the Tribunal may appoint a curator ad litem under rule 55(1).

Additional parties and relevant persons
     48. —(1) Subject to paragraph (2), any person who has an interest in the case may send to the Tribunal a written request for leave to enter the proceedings stating–

(a) the person's name and address;

(b) the nature of the person's interest and the person's reasons for the request.

    (2) The Tribunal may refer the request to a Convener to decide or decide the matter itself at a hearing.

    (3) On receipt of a request under paragraph (1), the Clerk shall send a copy to the parties inviting them to make written representations within such period as may be specified by the Convener.

    (4) At the request of any party in writing within that period, the Tribunal may afford the parties an opportunity to be heard either by the Convener alone or with such other members as the Tribunal may direct.

    (5) The Tribunal or the Convener, as the case may be, shall consider any representations made, and if satisfied that the person has an interest in the case, and that it is reasonable to do so, may grant the request and direct that the person shall be treated as a party or as a relevant person and the request treated as their notice of response.

    (6) On granting a request under paragraph (5), the Tribunal or the Convener, as the case may be, shall consider whether any decision already taken in the case requires to be reconsidered in the light of the person's notice of response.

Directions
     49. —(1) Except as otherwise provide for in these Rules, the Tribunal may at any time, either on the request of a relevant person or on its own initiative, give such directions as the Tribunal considers necessary or desirable to further the overriding objective in the conduct of a case and may in particular–

(a) direct a relevant person to provide any further particulars or to produce any documents which may reasonably be required;

(b) direct that a relevant person shall supply a list of documents and a list of witnesses whom that relevant person wishes to call to give evidence at the hearing;

(c) give directions as to the dates by which any documents or other evidence on which any relevant person wishes to rely shall be sent to the Tribunal;

(d) give a direction as to the date by which a relevant person shall send any written representations on the case to the Tribunal;

(e) direct that the parties or the relevant persons should provide a statement of agreed facts;

(f) give directions restricting the reporting, recording, photography or filming of any hearing;

(g) give directions as to–

    (2) Where a request is made by a relevant person for a direction under paragraph (1), it shall be made in writing specifying the direction sought and the basis for the request.

    (3) On receipt of such a request, the Clerk shall intimate the request to the relevant persons inviting them to make written representations within 14 days or such other period as the Tribunal may specify.

    (4) The requirement in the foregoing paragraph to intimate a request to the relevant persons does not require intimation to the person who made the request.

    (5) Where a party objects to the request, the Tribunal shall consider the objection and, if the Tribunal considers it necessary in order to decide the request, may afford the relevant persons an opportunity to be heard either by the Convener alone or with such other members as the Tribunal may direct.

    (6) The Tribunal shall, in deciding whether to make a direction, consider any representations made.

    (7) A direction under this rule may, if appropriate, include a statement of the possible consequences of failure to comply mentioned in rule 51.

    (8) A direction made without prior intimation to a relevant person whom it affects shall as soon as reasonably practicable be notified in writing to that relevant person by the Tribunal.

Varying or setting aside of directions
     50. —(1) Where a direction that affects a person is given by the Tribunal without prior intimation to that person, that person may request that the Tribunal to vary it or set it aside, but the Tribunal must not do so without first intimating the request to the relevant persons and considering any representations made by them.

    (2) The requirement in paragraph (1) to intimate a request to the relevant persons does not require intimation to the person who made the request.

Failure to comply with directions
     51. —(1) If any direction given to a relevant person under rule 49 is not complied with by that relevant person, the Tribunal may, before or at the hearing, direct that relevant person concerned take no further part in proceedings.

    (2) The Tribunal shall not exercise its powers under paragraph (1) unless it has sent notice to the relevant person concerned giving that relevant person an opportunity to show cause why the Tribunal should not proceed to give such a direction.

Other case management powers
     52. —(1) Subject to the provisions of the Act and these Rules, the Tribunal may regulate its own procedure.

    (2) The Tribunal may in any proceedings–

(a) on the request of any relevant person or on its own initiative, extend the time appointed by these Rules for doing any act even if the time appointed has expired if–

(b) require a relevant person (other than the patient) or a relevant person's representative or the patient's named person to attend a hearing; and

(c) hold a hearing and receive evidence by telephone, through video link or by using any other method of communication if the Tribunal is satisfied that this would be fair in all the circumstances.

(3) Except where a rule or other enactment provides otherwise, the Tribunal may exercise its powers on the request of any relevant person or on its own initiative.

(4) Where the Tribunal proposes to exercise a power on its own initiative–

(a) it may give any person likely to be affected an opportunity to make representations;

(b) where it does so it must specify the period within which and the manner in which any representations must be made; and

(c) it shall take any representations into account, when deciding whether to proceed to do so.

(5) Where there are two or more sets of proceedings pending before the Tribunal which relate to the patient, the Tribunal may, on the request of a relevant person or on its own initiative–

(a) suspend the whole or part of any proceedings or decision either generally or until a specified date or event;

(b) hear and determine the proceedings concurrently, and give any directions necessary to enable it to do so.

(6) The Tribunal may, on the request of a relevant person or on its own initiative, on cause shown, suspend the whole or part of any proceedings or decision either generally or until a specified date.

Assistance to persons with communication difficulties
53. —(1) This rule applies where–

(a) a person taking part in proceedings before the Tribunal has difficulty in communicating or generally communicates in a language other than English; and

(b) assistance is not required to be given under section 261 of the Act.

    (2) Where a person requires assistance to enable that person to take part in proceedings before the Tribunal, that person shall at the earliest opportunity notify the Tribunal of that requirement.

    (3) Where a relevant person becomes aware that a person requires assistance to enable that person to take part in proceedings before the Tribunal, the relevant person shall at the earliest opportunity notify the Tribunal of that requirement.

    (4) Where this rule applies, the Tribunal shall take all reasonable steps to secure that arrangements appropriate to the person's needs are made.

Representation
     54. —(1) A relevant person who initiates proceedings before the Tribunal or who wishes to take part in such proceedings shall as soon as practicable give notice to the Tribunal of the name and address of any representative appointed by the relevant person and if none has as yet been appointed, whether the relevant person intends to appoint a representative or to conduct the case without such assistance.

    (2) If at any time a relevant person wishes to be represented by a person other than a representative whose details have been notified to the Tribunal, the relevant person shall notify the Tribunal of the name and address of that person.

    (3) At any hearing a relevant person may conduct the relevant person's own case (with assistance from any person if the relevant person wishes) or may be represented by any person whether or not legally qualified.

    (4) If the Tribunal is satisfied that there is a good reason, it may refuse to permit a particular person to assist or represent a relevant person at a hearing.

    (5) References in these Rules (however expressed) to the sending of any notice or other documents to a relevant person shall be construed as references to the sending of any notice or other documents to the relevant person's representative.

Curator ad litem
     55. —(1) Where the circumstances in paragraph (2) apply, the Tribunal or a Convener shall appoint a curator ad litem for the patient.

    (2) Those circumstances are–

(a) that the patient is incapable of understanding the proceedings and their possible consequences and of adequately representing the patient's own interests in proceedings before the Tribunal;

(b) that where the Tribunal or a Convener has made a decision not to disclose a document or report or part of it to the patient under rule 47, and the patient does not have a representative to represent their interests; or

(c) that the patient has been excluded from any hearing or part of it under rule 68 or 69 and the patient does not have a representative to represent their interests.

(3) The Tribunal or the Convener, as the case may be, may appoint a person having appropriate skills or experience to–

(a) assess whether the circumstances in paragraph (2) may apply; and

(b) provide a report on the matter.

    (4) The Tribunal shall pay to an expert appointed under paragraph (3) such an amount in respect of necessary expenses incurred in preparing and producing any report, as the President shall direct.

    (5) The Tribunal shall provide all necessary information to a curator ad litem appointed to enable the curator ad litem to represent the patient's interests in proceedings before the Tribunal.

    (6) The patient, or where appropriate the Tribunal, shall make such allowances and meet any necessary expenses incurred by a curator ad litem appointed under this rule, as the President shall direct.

Notices
     56. —(1) Where these Rules require notice of proceedings before the Tribunal to be served upon a person who initiated those proceedings, such a notice shall not require to be served, but in such a case a notice of hearing shall be sent intimating the date, time and place of the hearing and giving such directions as the Tribunal shall consider appropriate in the circumstances.

    (2) Where a person has notified the Tribunal in writing that that person does not wish to receive any notices or documents from the Tribunal in relation to proceedings before it specified in the notification, these Rules do not require any such notices or documents to be sent to that person.

    (3) Except where the relevant persons have already been notified of the date of the hearing under notice provided under Parts II to V of these Rules, the Clerk shall send to each relevant person, not less than 7 days before the date fixed (or such shorter period as the Tribunal or the Convener may decide is appropriate) notice of hearing intimating the date, time and place of the hearing and giving such directions as the Tribunal shall consider appropriate in the circumstances.

    (4) The Clerk shall include with a notice of hearing, information and guidance in a form approved by the President, as to–

(a) the right of a relevant person to make representations in writing;

(b) the attendance at the hearing of the relevant persons and witnesses, including a statement explaining the consequences of non-attendance;

(c) the sending of documents;

(d) the right of representation or assistance by another person;

(e) the need to notify the Clerk if a relevant person or a witness requires assistance as referred to in rule 53;

(f) the right of the parties to receive a copy of a decision of the Tribunal;

(g) the availability of general procedural advice in relation to proceedings from the Office of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland; and

(h) the availability of other sources of advice.

Alteration of hearing
     57. —(1) The Tribunal may, on receipt of a written request from a relevant person, or on its own initiative, alter the date, time or place of any hearing and shall give the relevant persons as much notice as is reasonably practicable of any such alteration.

    (2) Any date altered under paragraph (1) shall not (unless the parties agree) be before the date originally fixed.

    (3) On receipt of a written request from a relevant person under paragraph (1), the Clerk shall send a copy of the request to any other relevant person as soon as reasonably practicable.

    (4) Where a relevant person objects to a request under paragraph (1), the Tribunal shall give any other relevant person an opportunity of making representations, before deciding whether or not the date of the hearing will be altered.

Power to decide case without a hearing
     58. —(1) Except as otherwise provided for in the Act, this rule applies where–

(a) the relevant persons agree in writing;

(b) the Tribunal considers that having regard to the nature of the issues raised in the case, sufficient evidence is available to enable it come to a decision; and

(c) to do so will not, in the view of the Tribunal, be contrary to the interests of the patient.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the Tribunal may decide the case without a hearing.

(3) Before making a decision under paragraph (2), the Tribunal must consider any representations in writing submitted by relevant persons.

Evidence
Production of documents etc.
59. —(1) Subject to the provisions of the Act and paragraph (2) of this rule, the Tribunal may on the request of any relevant person or on its own initiative send a citation to any person requiring that person to attend and produce any document in the custody, or under the control of, such person which the Tribunal considers it necessary to examine.

(2) The citation must explain that–

(b) a person need not produce any document if, were it a document that might be produced in any court in Scotland, the person having that document could not be compelled to produce it in such proceedings;

(c) it is a defence under paragraph 12(5) of schedule 2 to the Act for a person charged with contravening paragraph 12(3) to show that the person has a reasonable excuse for such contravention.

    (3) No person shall be required to attend and produce a document in compliance with a citation unless the necessary expenses of that person's attendance are paid or tendered to them by the relevant person who requested their attendance or by the Tribunal, as the President shall direct.

    (4) A person receiving a citation under this rule may apply in writing to the Tribunal for the citation to be varied or set aside and the Convener may vary or set aside the citation as they see fit.

    (5) The Clerk shall send a copy of the decision under paragraph (4) to the person making the application under that paragraph and the relevant persons.

    (6) It shall be a condition of the production of any document under this rule that a relevant person must use the document provided only for the purposes of the proceedings.

    (7) In giving effect to this rule, the Tribunal shall take into account–

Evidence of witnesses– general rule
     60. Evidence before the Tribunal may be given orally or by signed statement but the Tribunal may at any stage of the proceedings require the personal attendance of any witness to give oral evidence.

Attendance of witnesses
     61. —(1) Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Tribunal may on the written request of any relevant person or on its own initiative send a citation to a person requiring that that person attends as a witness.

    (2) A request by a relevant person under paragraph (1) shall give the name and address of each person in respect of whom the request is made.

    (3) The citation must explain that–

(a) it is an offence under paragraph 12 of schedule 2 to the Act to refuse or fail, without reasonable excuse, to comply with it;

(b) a person need not give evidence as a witness if the person could not be compelled to give that evidence in proceedings in any court in Scotland.

(4) No person shall be required to attend as a witness in compliance with a citation unless–

(a) that person has been given 5 working days' notice of the hearing or such other period of notice, which must be at least 48 hours' notice, as shall be specified in the citation; and

(b) the necessary expenses of that person's attendance are paid or tendered to them by the relevant person who requested their attendance or by the Tribunal, as the President shall direct.

Experts' reports
     62. —(1) The Tribunal may, if any issue arises in relation to any proceedings on which, in the opinion of the Tribunal, it would be desirable for the Tribunal to have the assistance of an expert, appoint a person having appropriate qualifications to inquire into and report on any matter.

    (2) Subject to rule 47, the Tribunal shall supply the parties with a copy of any written report received under paragraph (1) in advance of the hearing.

    (3) The Tribunal may direct that the expert shall attend the hearing and give oral evidence.

    (4) The Tribunal shall pay to an expert appointed under this rule such an amount in respect of necessary expenses incurred in preparing and producing any written report, and for attendance at the hearing as the President shall direct.

    (5) Subject to the following paragraphs, where any relevant person obtains in relation to an issue before the Tribunal a written report from a person having expertise in any subject relevant to that issue, that relevant person shall send a copy of the report to the Tribunal 7 days prior to the next hearing of the Tribunal

    (6) A relevant person may send a request to the Tribunal for permission not to send a report to the Tribunal under paragraph (5), giving reasons for the request and, pending consideration of that request, the copy report need not be produced

    (7) The Tribunal may afford the relevant person making the request an opportunity to be heard either by the Convener alone or with such other members as the Tribunal may direct.

    (8) The Tribunal shall, in deciding the request, consider any representations made, and may either–

(a) give permission to the relevant person not to send part or all of the report in question; or

(b) order that part or all of the report be sent to the Tribunal within such time as the Tribunal may specify.

The hearing

Procedure
63. —(1) At the beginning of any hearing the Convener shall explain the manner and order of proceedings and the procedure which the Tribunal proposes to adopt.

(2) The Tribunal may, in accordance with the overriding objective, conduct the hearing–

(a) as informally as the circumstances of the case permit; and

(b) in the manner the Tribunal considers–

    (3) The relevant persons shall be entitled to give evidence, to call witnesses, to question any witness and to address the Tribunal both on the evidence and generally on the subject matter of the case.

    (4) At any hearing the Tribunal may, if satisfied that it is just and reasonable to do so, permit a relevant person to rely on matters not stated in the application, reference, appeal, review, written representations or notice of response and to lead or produce any evidence not previously notified to the other relevant persons.

    (5) Having considered the circumstances of the relevant persons and whether (and to what extent) they are represented, the Convener–

(a) may, in order to assist resolution of any disputed fact, put questions to the relevant persons and to witnesses or may allow another member of the Tribunal to put such questions; and

(b) shall, to the extent the Convener considers it necessary for the just conduct of the hearing, explain any legal terms or expressions which are used.

    (6) The Tribunal may require any witness to give evidence on oath or affirmation.

    (7) The Tribunal may exclude from the hearing any person who is to appear as a witness in the case until such time as they give evidence if it considers it is fair in all the circumstances to do so.

Absence of a member of the Tribunal
     64. —(1) Except as provided for otherwise in these Rules, a tribunal shall not decide any question unless all members are present and, if any member is absent, the case shall be adjourned or referred to another tribunal.

    (2) If a member of a tribunal ceases to be a member of the Tribunal or is otherwise unable to act before that tribunal has commenced hearing the case, the President may allocate the hearing of that case to a differently constituted tribunal.

    (3) If, after the commencement of any hearing, a member other than the Convener is absent, the case may, with the consent of the parties, be heard by the other two members and, in that event, the tribunal shall be deemed to be properly constituted.

Adjournment of the hearing
     65. —(1) The Tribunal may on the request of a relevant person or on its own initiative, adjourn a hearing in order that further information or evidence may be obtained or for such other purpose as it sees fit.

    (2) Where a relevant person requests an adjournment under paragraph (1), the Tribunal shall consider any representations made by any other relevant person before deciding whether or not the hearing will be adjourned.

    (3) When a hearing is adjourned under paragraph (1), the Tribunal may give directions under rule 49 regarding the future conduct of the case as it considers appropriate and may, in particular, require any relevant person to intimate to the Tribunal by a specified date any matter to be relied upon by that person at the further hearing.

    (4) The Tribunal shall notify the relevant persons of the date for the resumed hearing except that if the date, time and place of the resumed hearing are announced before the adjournment, no further notice shall be required.

Hearings in public or private
     66. —(1) Subject to the provisions of this rule, hearings shall be held in private.

    (2) Where a patient applies in writing for a hearing to be held in public, the Tribunal may make an order that a hearing be held in public.

    (3) The Tribunal may refuse to make an order under paragraph (2) where any of the requirements of paragraph (4) is met.

    (4) The requirements are that a public hearing–

(a) would fail to safeguard the welfare of the patient or any other person;

(b) would not, in all the circumstances, allow the fair hearing of the case; or

(c) would prejudice the interests of justice.

(5) The Tribunal shall refuse to make an order under paragraph (2) only to the extent necessary to protect the interest which is being protected by the refusal and only in relation to those parts of a hearing in respect of which any of the requirements of paragraph (4) is satisfied.

(6) The following persons shall be entitled to attend a hearing, even although it may be held in private–

(a) the President, any member of the Tribunal, or a member of staff of the Tribunal, with the agreement of the Convener;

(b) a member of the Council on Tribunals or of its Scottish Committee; and

(c) an interpreter or other person giving other necessary assistance to a person entitled to attend the hearing.

(7) The Tribunal may exclude from any hearing or any part of a hearing, any person, other than a representative of the patient or a relevant person, where it is considering a document or report withheld from disclosure in accordance with rule 47, and in any case where the Tribunal decides to so exclude such a person, it shall inform the person excluded of its reasons and record those reasons in writing.

Publicity
67. —(1) Where the Tribunal has made an order under rule 66, the Tribunal may on the request of a relevant person or on its own initiative make an order that any publicity to be given to the hearing should be limited, where the President or the Convener considers it appropriate bearing in mind–

(a) the need to safeguard the welfare of a patient or any other person;

(b) the need to protect the private life of any person;

(c) any representations on the matter which a relevant person has provided in writing; and

(d) the effect of any direction under rule 49.

    (2) An order under paragraph (1) shall limit publicity only to the extent necessary to protect the interest which is being protected by the order.

    (3) An order under paragraph (1) may allow publicity that does not identify the parties.

Excluding persons from hearings in exceptional circumstances
     68. —(1) Where the Convener or the Tribunal is satisfied that attendance of any person at the hearing or part of it may cause serious harm to the patient or any other person, the Convener or the Tribunal, as the case may be, may make a direction that such a person shall be excluded from the hearing or any part or it.

    (2) The Convener or the Tribunal, as the case may be, may appoint a person having appropriate skills or experience to–

(a) assess whether such attendance by the patient or another person may cause serious harm; and

(b) report on the matter.

    (3) The Tribunal shall pay to an expert appointed under paragraph (2) such an amount in respect of necessary expenses incurred in preparing and producing any report, as the President shall direct.

    (4) Where the Convener or the Tribunal is considering making a direction under this rule, the Clerk shall invite the relevant persons to make written representations both as to the necessity of the direction and as to the availability of alternative measures, within such period as may be specified by the Convener.

    (5) At the request of any relevant person in writing within that period, the Tribunal may afford the relevant persons an opportunity to be heard either by the Convener alone or with such other members as the Tribunal may direct.

    (6) If the patient is the person who may be the subject of a direction under this rule, and does not have legal representation, the Tribunal shall invite the patient to seek an adjournment of the Tribunal's consideration of the matter, in order to obtain legal representation and, if the patient does seek such an adjournment, shall grant it.

    (7) A direction under paragraph (1) shall exclude the patient or other person only to the extent strictly necessary to prevent the harm apprehended by attendance and may be made only after taking into account any report under paragraph (2) and any representations made under paragraph (4) or (5).

    (8) Where such a direction excluding the patient is made and the patient does not have a representative to represent their interests, the Tribunal may appoint a curator ad litem under rule 55(1).

Exclusion of persons disrupting hearing
     69. —(1) Without prejudice to any other powers the Tribunal may have, the Tribunal may exclude from any hearing, or part of it–

(a) any person (including a relevant person or the relevant person's representative) whose conduct has disrupted, or is likely, in the opinion of the Tribunal, to disrupt the hearing;

(b) any person whose presence is likely, in the opinion of the Tribunal, to make it difficult for any relevant person to make representations or present evidence necessary for the proper conduct of the hearing; or

(c) any person whose conduct has otherwise interfered with the administration of justice or is likely to do so.

(2) In deciding whether to exercise the power conferred by paragraph (1) the Tribunal shall have regard to–

(a) the interests of the relevant persons; and

(b) in the case of the exclusion of a relevant person or relevant person's representative, whether the relevant person will be adequately represented.

(3) Before the Tribunal decides to exclude a relevant person, the Tribunal shall–

(a) allow the relevant person's representative sufficient opportunity to consult the relevant person;

(b) afford the relevant person concerned and any other relevant person as it thinks fit, an opportunity to be heard; and

(c) consider the availability of alternative measures which may enable the relevant person concerned to continue to participate in proceedings.

(4) Where the relevant person concerned is the patient, and that patient does not have a representative present to represent the patient's interests, the Tribunal may, before making a decision under paragraph (1), adjourn the hearing to allow–

(a) the patient to obtain representation; or

(b) a curator ad litem to be appointed under rule 55(1).

    (5) The Tribunal may make such alternative arrangements as may be necessary to enable a person excluded to continue to participate in the proceedings, including allowing the proceedings to continue through video-link or other method of communication.

Failure of a relevant person to attend
     70. —(1) If a relevant person fails to be present or represented at a hearing, the Tribunal may, if satisfied that the relevant person was duly notified of the hearing and that there is no good reason for such absence, hear and decide the proceedings in that relevant person's absence and may give such directions as the Tribunal thinks fit.

    (2) Before deciding any case in the absence of a relevant person, the Tribunal shall consider any representations in writing submitted by that relevant person in response to the notice of hearing.

    (3) Where the relevant person concerned is a party, the Tribunal shall afford that party an opportunity to be heard either by the Convener alone or with such other members as the Tribunal may direct to explain the absence and to advise whether the party wishes to proceed.

Inability to attend
     71. —(1) If the Convener is satisfied that any relevant person is unable, through illness, age, incapacity or other sufficient cause to attend the hearing, the Convener may make such arrangements as may appear best suited in all the circumstances of the case, for deciding the case fairly, and in particular may arrange–

(a) for the relevant person to provide a signed statement, or evidence in such form as the Tribunal thinks fit;

(b) for taking the evidence of expert or other witnesses on behalf of the relevant person;

(c) for enabling the relevant person to make representations on the evidence; and

(d) for the case to be decided in the absence of the relevant person.

    (2) Arrangements under paragraph (1) may include arrangements to take evidence and hear representations by video-link.

Decision of the Tribunal
     72. —(1) A decision of the Tribunal may be given at the end of the hearing or reserved.

    (2) The decision shall be signed by the Convener and dated.

    (3) The Tribunal shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, send notice of the decision to the parties and such other relevant person as the Tribunal may direct.

    (4) Information in such form as the President may approve, shall be sent with the notice referred to in paragraph (3), explaining any right of appeal against the Tribunal's decision under sections 320 and 322 of the Act, including any time limits which may apply.

    (5) Where a decision has been made by the Tribunal, whether at a hearing or otherwise, the Clerk shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, send a copy of the decision to the Commission and where the case was remitted to the Tribunal by a court, to that court.

    (6) Other than where a decision is made at the end of the hearing, a decision shall be treated as having been made on the date on which it is sent to the parties.

    (7) The Tribunal shall record the decision in a document which contains a full statement of the facts found by the Tribunal and the reasons for the decision.

    (8) Clerical mistakes or errors arising from an accidental slip or omission in the document referred to in paragraph (7), may at any time be corrected by the Convener by certificate in writing.

    (9) If a document is corrected by certificate under paragraph (8), or if a decision is altered in any way by order of an appellate court, the Clerk shall send a notice to each of the parties and to the Commission advising of that change.

    (10) Where this rule requires a document to be signed by the Convener, but the Convener is unable, by reason of death or incapacity to sign it, the document shall be signed by the other members of the tribunal, whom failing the President, who shall certify that the Convener is unable to sign.

Publication
     73. —(1) The President must make such arrangements as the President considers appropriate for the publication of Tribunal decisions.

    (2) Decisions may be published electronically.

    (3) A decision may be published in an edited form, or subject to any deletions, where the Convener considers it appropriate bearing in mind–

(a) the need to safeguard the welfare of a patient or any other person;

(b) the need to protect the private life of any person;

(c) any representations on the matter which any relevant person has provided in writing.

(4) A decision of the Tribunal, shall be published in such a manner as to protect the anonymity of the patient.

Miscellaneous
Performance of the Tribunal's functions
74. The President may authorise any member of the staff of the Tribunal to exercise such administrative functions under these Rules as the President shall specify.

Relief from failure to comply with the Rules
75. —(1) Where before the Tribunal has decided a case, a relevant person has failed to comply with any provision of these Rules, which is shown to be due to mistake, oversight or other excusable cause, the Tribunal may–

    (2) In particular, where it considers that any relevant person may have been prejudiced by such failure, the Tribunal may take any necessary steps including the amendment of any document, the giving of any notice or otherwise, to enable the case to proceed as if the failure to comply with the provision had not occurred.

Signature of documents
     76. —(1) Any requirement in these Rules for a document to be signed by a person shall be satisfied, in the case of a document which is transmitted by electronic communication in accordance with these Rules, by electronic signature of the person who is required to sign the document.

    (2) Any requirement in these Rules for an application or appeal to be signed by an applicant or appellant shall be satisfied if signed by the legal representative of the applicant or appellant.

Proof of documents
     77. Any document purporting to be a document duly executed or issued by the President, or Convener on behalf of the Tribunal shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to be a document so executed or issued as the case may be.

Method of delivering and receipt of notices and documents
     78. —(1) Any notice or document required or authorised by these Rules to be sent to the Tribunal, may be sent to or presented at the Office of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland, or such other office as may be notified by the Tribunal.

    (2) All notices and documents required by these Rules to be sent by the Tribunal or the Clerk or given to any person may–

(a) in the case of a relevant person–

(b) in the case of any other person, to the person's last known address or in any manner specified for that purpose by the Tribunal or person to whom the notice or document is directed.

(3) Any notice or document sent to a person in accordance with this rule shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to be received–

(a) where the document is sent by post, on the second day after the day on which it was sent; and

(b) in any other case, on the day on which the document was transmitted or delivered to that person.

    (4) A notice or document sent or given to the authorised representative of a relevant person shall be deemed to have been sent or given to that relevant person.

    (5) A relevant person may at any time by notice to the Tribunal change the address to which notices and documents are to be sent to the relevant person.

Transfer of case
     79. —(1) Where a tribunal is satisfied, in relation to a case which it is hearing that that case could be better considered by a tribunal in another geographical area, it may request the President to arrange for such other tribunal to dispose of the case.

    (2) Where the functions of the Tribunal are being discharged by more than one tribunal, the President shall determine by which tribunal any case is to be dealt with.

    (3) Where this rule applies, the President shall transfer the case from one tribunal to another where necessary.

    (4) Where a case has been transferred in terms of this rule, any matters already decided in the case shall not require to be further considered by the tribunal to which the case is transferred.

LEWIS MACDONALD
Authorised to sign by the Scottish Ministers

St Andrew's House, Edinburgh
25th August 2005

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules prescribe the practice and procedure to be followed in proceedings before the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland created under section 21 of, and schedule 2 to, the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 13) ("the 2003 Act"). The Rules come into force on 5th October 2005.

Part I of these Rules contains introductory provisions.

Part II contains rules about applications to the Tribunal under the 2003 Act.

Part III contains rules about appeals to the Tribunal, under or by virtue of the 2003 Act.

Part IV contains rules about references to the Tribunal under the 2003 Act.

Part V contains rules about reviews by the Tribunal under section 101(2) or 165(2) of the 2003 Act of certain determinations by a patient's responsible medical officer.

Part VI provides that these Rules may be applied by the Tribunal to cases remitted to the Tribunal by the court under section 324(5)(b)(ii) of the 2003 Act for consideration anew.

Part VII contains general provisions which apply to cases before the Tribunal under these Rules.

Notes:

[1] 2003 asp 13.back

[2] 1992 c.53.back

[3] 2000 c.7.back

[4] 1971 c. 80.back

ISBN 0 11 069684 0

Prepared 2 September 2005

BAILII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Donate to BAILII
URL: http://www.bailii.org/scot/legis/num_reg/2005/20050420.html

	[Home] [Databases] [World Law] [Multidatabase Search] [Help] [Feedback]
	Statutory Instruments of the Scottish Parliament
You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Statutory Instruments of the Scottish Parliament >> The Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland (Practice and Procedure) Rules 2005 No. 420 URL: http://www.bailii.org/scot/legis/num_reg/2005/20050420.html