Reviewed by: David Pickup
Author: Anthony Maden and Tim Spencer-Lane
Publisher: Hammersmith Press
ISBN: 978-1-905140-29-9
Price: £24.99

The mental health lawyer is now spoilt for choice of books on their field. The leading work is Jones’ Manual which is now in its 13th edition. It costs a hefty £69.00 and for long has been regarded as the bible for all practitioners. It has been joined by Mental Health: Law and Practice (2nd Revised edition) by Phil Fennell, at £55.00, and Blackstone's Guide to the Mental Health Act by Paul Bowen at £41.95 which both came out following the amendments to the Act in 2007. In addition there is a more academic work Mental Health Law (5th edition) by Lady Justice Brenda Hale DBE at £69.00

This book is unlikely to be able to compete with the better-known titles, but it grew on me. It is just over 200 pages long and modestly priced. Although this is not an academic work, and hardly any leading cases are mentioned, it is readable and clear. It is one of the few books that cover both mental health and capacity acts, which is a strong point in its favour. Unlike other books which follow the sections of the legislation, this is broken down into chapters which deal with different topics. The newcomer to this area of law will therefore find it easier to use.

Although it does not cite case law it does refer heavily to the Mental Health Act Code of Practice, which is an essential document for the practitioner. It would, however, have been helpful to explain what the code is and its relation to the legislation, but the continual emphasis on its contents is good. I think the non-clinician will find the medical sections interesting and clear and the non-lawyer similarly will value the clarity of the more technical sections.

Overall, this book will be of great benefit to the professional who needs a readable guide to the legislation.

David Pickup is a partner at Pickup & Scott Solicitors, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

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