These essays are offered from the perspective of a social scientist. They are concerned with the 1983 Mental Health Act as it applies to England and Wales, with its likely effects and its application. The areas covered, although not exhaustive include the major aspects of the legislation; that is they include the compulsory admission procedure for non-offender patients, police powers, guardianship, consent to treatment, offender patients, guardianship and rights of the patient generally. Whilst not intending to be a comparative study as such, it is hoped the essays will highlight some of the issues which are universal and identify questions which are common throughout.

The essays are concerned with specific topics derived from the legislation and complete in themselves. That is, a chapter can be independent of the other chapters with the exception of Chapter 1 which sets the parameters and defines the terms. Thematically the book is concerned with one piece of legislation where in each chapter certain basic questions are asked; for example: what does the legislation say on this topic? What are the implications sociologically and otherwise for the patient, for psychiatry and for society generally? Whilst there are many admirable texts on the legal aspects of this piece of legislation, (see Hoggett, B., 1984 Mental Health Law, published by Sweet & Maxwell) and many legal guides, the attempt here is to widen the subject of debate and be less concerned with specific legal issues or with those affecting the day to day management of the patient.