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Mental health – Court of Protection. P was an elderly patient in under the care of the relevant NHS Trust. She was described by a number of the medical professionals as being 'very frail', had no eye contact, appeared unconscious, and was unable to communicate or respond to any requests or commands. The Trust sought declarations pursuant to s 15(1)(c) of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, that it was lawful and in P's best interests to continue to receive artificial hydration via subcutaneous injection and that the treating clinicians were to be permitted not to provide artificial nutrition by a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube or via an alternative artificial feeding regime and not to resuscitate her in the event of either a cardiac or respiratory arrest. The Court of Protection granted the declarations as being in P's best interests.
Mental health – Court of Protection. P was an elderly patient in under the care of the relevant NHS Trust. She was described by a number of the medical professionals as being 'very frail', had no eye contact, appeared unconscious, and was unable to communicate or respond to any requests or commands. The Trust sought declarations pursuant to s 15(1)(c) of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, that it was lawful and in P's best interests to continue to receive artificial hydration via subcutaneous injection and that the treating clinicians were to be permitted not to provide artificial nutrition by a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube or via an alternative artificial feeding regime and not to resuscitate her in the event of either a cardiac or respiratory arrest. The Court of Protection granted the declarations as being in P's best interests.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
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By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
In an era of patient-centred care and growing concern over misconduct in medical settings, why do women still lack the right to choose women consultants for examination and treatment? Charles Davey investigates
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
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