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Mental Capacity Act 2005

Section 11: Lasting powers of attorney: restrictions

57.Subsections (1) to (4) place restrictions on the use of restraint by attorneys, matching those applying in relation to “section 5 acts” (see section 6) and deputies (see section 20). Restraint can only be used to prevent harm, and must be proportionate. Subsection (6) makes clear that for section 11 a deprivation of liberty within the ECHR meaning amounts to more than mere restraint.

58.Further restrictions are set out in subsection (7). An attorney cannot act where the donor has capacity, or where the donor has made a qualifying advance decision (see sections 24 to 26). Subsection 7(c) has to be read with subsection (8). Thus, although an attorney may give or refuse consent to the carrying out or continuation of health care, this would not extend to refusing life-sustaining treatment unless the LPA expressly said so, and is subject to any conditions or restrictions in the LPA.

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