The Code of Practice for the Mental Capacity Act was formally issued by the Lord Chancellor on 23 April 2007. It provides guidance and information on how the Act will work on a day to day basis for anyone who works with or cares for people who lack capacity, including family, friends and unpaid carers.
Once the Mental Capacity Act comes into force, certain groups of people will be legally required to have regard to the Code when acting or making decisions on behalf of people who lack capacity. For more information on when the Act comes into force go to Timetable for implementation of the Act.
You can download the Code here, or order a copy from TSO by calling 0870 600 5522 or emailing customerservices@tso.co.uk.
- Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice [PDF 1.70mb, 302 pages]
Code of Practice in three smaller parts for easier downloading:
- Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice (part 1) - plain text [PDF 0.42mb, 72 pages]
- Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice (part 2) - plain text [PDF 0.41mb, 86 pages]
- Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice (part 3) - plain text [PDF 0.60mb, 79 pages]