Explanatory Notes

Mental Capacity Act 2005

2005 CHAPTER 9

7 April 2005

Commentary on Sections

Part 1: Persons Who Lack Capacity

General powers of the court and appointment of deputies

Section 17: Section 16 powers: personal welfare

70.The powers created by section 16 in relation to making orders and appointing deputies will extend to a wide range of personal welfare issues. Particular mention is made in this section of issues which have arisen in the past and been dealt with by the High Court in the exercise of its inherent jurisdiction and may be most likely to arise in future. This is not an exhaustive, merely an indicative, list. It is not a list of decisions that must always go to court, rather it provides examples of where the court can act if it would be appropriate, and beneficial to the person, for the court to do so. There are restrictions on what may be delegated to a deputy, set out in section 20(2).