Oliver Lewis
@droliverlewis.bsky.social
📤 339
📥 84
📝 73
Health and human rights barrister at @DoughtyStPublic.
https://linktr.ee/droliverlewis
. Views my own
My book "Coercive control and vulnerable adults: Law and Practice in the Court of Protection and under the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court" comes out next week, but I've already received some copies. Order here:
bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/coercive-...
and DM me for a discount code 😉
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about 3 hours ago
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Today I returned from the The International Coercive Control Conference in New York, where professionals from around the world came together to examine how systems respond to coercive and controlling behaviour.
3 days ago
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As someone with Hungarian heritage who lived in Budapest for 14 years, is married to a Hungarian and has many Hungarian relatives and friends, I’m delighted that Tisza is in powerand @magyarpeterMP is PM. Here’s to a new beginning. Gratulárok, magyarok! 🇭🇺 🗳️ 🥂
4 days ago
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A significant legal milestone in Scotland. A jury has found a perpetrator of domestic abuse including
#coercivecontrol
, guilty of 'culpable homicide' of his partner Kimberly Milne, who died by suicide.
news.sky.com/story/lee-mi...
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https://news.sky.com/story/lee-milne-sentencing-live-domestic-abuser-faces-jail-after-wife-took-own-life-in-first-case-of-its-kind-in-scotland-13529914
6 days ago
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reposted by
Oliver Lewis
Doughty Street Chambers
2 months ago
On 2 February 2026, an inquest jury in Horsham found that multiple failings in mental health care contributed to the death of 16-year-old Ellame Ford-Dunn on 20 March 2022. Read more:
www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/risk-te...
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reposted by
Oliver Lewis
Doughty Street Chambers
6 months ago
UK Supreme Court hears disability rights case - the judgment, expected to be handed down next year, has UK-wide implications for people with learning disabilities, brain injury or dementia, mental health problems, and autistic people.
@droliverlewis.bsky.social
was instructed by Irwin Mitchell.
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UK Supreme Court hears disability rights case
It is permissible under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) for the law to say that a person who lacks capacity to consent to their care arrangements can nevertheless give valid consent
https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/uk-supreme-court-hears-disability-rights-case
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I'm doing a remote talk with the lovely people at Thalamos at 12:30pm today Monday (22 Sept) to support NHS leaders to prepare for when the Mental Health Bill becomes law. Sign up here:
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a6127d...
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Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a6127d0c-7fb4-4238-a855-780d9c399ac9@610eb276-1293-423c-90fb-198a039eab86
7 months ago
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Baby Z sadly died last week after life-sustaining treatment was withdrawn. Asma Nizami and I represented the baby’s lovely parents before Theis J in the Family Division, instructed by Irwin Mitchell
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWH...
8 months ago
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reposted by
Oliver Lewis
Doughty Street Chambers
9 months ago
𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲-𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 -
@droliverlewis.bsky.social
represented the family on a direct access and pro bono basis, spending over 150 hours on the case since March 2025.
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Court of Protection removes barriers for anorexic woman to receive life-saving treatment
London, 31 July 2025.
https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/court-protection-removes-barriers-anorexic-woman-receive-life-saving-treatment
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reposted by
Oliver Lewis
Doughty Street Chambers
11 months ago
Today, 19 May 2025, the UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights published its report on the Mental Health Bill. Our Ulele Burnham gave oral evidence to the committee and Oliver Lewis (
@droliverlewis.bsky.social
) provided evidence in written submissions.
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Mental Health Bill – the Joint Committee on Human Rights speaks
Today, 19 May 2025, the UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights published its report on the Ment
https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/mental-health-bill-joint-committee-human-rights-speaks
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Lovely write-up by
@jordan-briggs.bsky.social
of our recent event on autism and learning disability in the
#MHBill
. With
@rightfullives.bsky.social
@aquinnunbroken.bsky.social
@lisaperry.bsky.social
@doughtystreet.bsky.social
insights.doughtystreet.co.uk/post/102k68x...
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A Deep Dive into the Mental Health Bill 2024 – Autism and Learning Disability (via Passle)
On 4 March 2025, Dr Oliver Lewis held the third seminar in Doughty Street Chambers’ series about the Mental Health Bill 2024 (‘the Bill’), as amended. H...
https://insights.doughtystreet.co.uk/post/102k68x/a-deep-dive-into-the-mental-health-bill-2024-autism-and-learning-disability
about 1 year ago
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“It is far too early to let this 25-year-old woman die when medical treatment is available that could prevent her death.” I’m representing the extraordinary family of an anorexic & autistic woman who now weighs 19kg.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
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NHS refuses to force-feed anorexic woman at ‘imminent’ risk of death
Family of 25-year-old ‘finds it strange that NHS has chance to save her life but is refusing to take it’, court told
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/20/nhs-refuses-to-force-feed-anorexic-woman-at-imminent-risk-o/
about 1 year ago
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I’m in Geneva today, and presented on behalf of
@inclusionintl.bsky.social
at the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ day of discussion on the right to political participation.
www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/oliver-...
@doughtystreet.bsky.social
about 1 year ago
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Here’s the video recording of our webinar last week on autism, learning disability and the
#MentalHealthBill
. Thanks to all who spoke and watched!
youtu.be/oM53rBKkLEM
@rightfullives.bsky.social
@learningdisability.bsky.social
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A deep dive into the Mental Health Bill 2024 - Autism and learning disability
YouTube video by Doughty Street Chambers
https://youtu.be/oM53rBKkLEM
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Oliver Lewis
Lydia Wilkins
about 1 year ago
A wonderful evening hosted by
@doughtystreet.bsky.social
on the impact of the forthcoming Mental Health Bill. What happens with the removal of learning disability & autism when there’s no community provision?
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😃With
@rightfullives.bsky.social
, I'm co-organising an event about learning disability, autism and the
#MHBill
📢 Fab speakers, all have experience of MHA detention 📅 Tues 4 March at 6pm 📍At
@doughtystreet.bsky.social
and on Zoom Register here
www.doughtystreet.co.uk/event/deep-d...
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A deep dive into the Mental Health Bill 2024
A deep dive into the Mental Health Bill 2024Detention and treatmentThursday 27th February 2025 | 18:00 - 19:30Location: Online via ZoomIn the second webinar of this series Sophy Miles and Elizabeth Cl...
https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/event/deep-dive-mental-health-bill-2024
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Oliver Lewis
UK Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights has published my written evidence on the Mental Health Bill. l suggested amendments that would advance the rights of persons with learning disabilities and/or autism
#MHBill
https://buff.ly/4hHhfBL
about 1 year ago
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UK Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights has published my written evidence on the Mental Health Bill. l suggested amendments that would advance the rights of persons with learning disabilities and/or autism
#MHBill
https://buff.ly/4hHhfBL
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Oliver Lewis
ICARS - International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion
about 1 year ago
Private schools receiving millions of pounds of taxpayer cash to educate children with special needs have used excessive restraint on pupils and failed to manage their behaviour, leaving them “at risk of harm”, The i Paper can reveal.
#RestraintForRevenue
inews.co.uk/news/educati...
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Children ‘at risk of harm’ in SEND schools charging taxpayer fees of up to £116k
Chaotic behaviour, pupil distress and injured staff found by Ofsted in private SEND schools run by Witherslack, as parents consider legal action over use of restraint
https://inews.co.uk/news/education/children-at-risk-harm-send-schools-charging-taxpayer-116k-3533554
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AP is a lovely young man with learning disabilities and autism. He experienced significant harm while being detained in a "s.136 suite" in a mental health hospital for a whopping 340 days. A Human Rights Act claim has resulted in a settlement. 1/4
www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/justice...
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Justice for AP: Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust pays damages following detention and seclusion of man with learning disabilities and autism for 340 days
The High Court has approved the settlement of a civil claim brought by Bindmans client ‘AP’, by which Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust will pay significant damages for the detention and treatment
https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/justice-ap-oxford-health-nhs-foundation-trust-pays-damages-following-detention-and-seclusion
about 1 year ago
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Today I went with an instructing solicitor on a home visit to meet my client, a young autistic man with learning disabilities. Through his mum who interpreted his sounds, words and movements, I learned about the way he communicates, about his hobbies and talents, and his wishes and worries.
about 1 year ago
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Welcome news. From today, offenders serving a sentence of at least 12 months for controlling or coercive behaviour will be automatically managed under multi-agency public protection arrangements (Mappa)
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Coercive control to be put on par with other types of domestic abuse in England and Wales
Police and probation services will be legally required to share with one another information that suggests offenders are risk to others
https://buff.ly/4hlycSj
about 1 year ago
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It’s worth watching Trudeau’s excellent speech in full
youtu.be/xiaACQpFUfE
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Trudeau: Canada will retaliate with 25% tariffs on $155B of U.S. goods
YouTube video by CBC News
https://youtu.be/xiaACQpFUfE
about 1 year ago
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I’m reading a lot more CBC these days, to understand the Canadian take on Trump, and now the bonkers tarrifs. The idea in this article is quite something!
www.cbc.ca/news/world/c...
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ANALYSIS | With its U.S. alliance under pressure, could Canada join the EU? | CBC News
Relations between Canada and the U.S. are coming under serious pressure — and that has some commentators offering an unlikely — though not impossible — solution. What if Canada joined the European Uni...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canada-european-union-1.7446400?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar
about 1 year ago
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Court of Appeal provides guidance on how an appeal court should proceed if capacity to conduct the appeal is in question
www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/oliver-...
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Oliver Lewis and Beth Grossman appear in Court of Appeal on contempt and capacity
Oliver Lewis and Beth Grossman appeared in the C
https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/oliver-lewis-and-beth-grossman-appear-court-appeal-contempt-and-capacity
about 1 year ago
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Lovely column by dear Ol!
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 year ago
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Thank you London Court of Protection Practitioners Association for hosting an interesting seminar on coercive and controlling behaviour 1/3
about 1 year ago
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Super helpful new guidance, relevant also for Court of Protection lawyers 👉 Family Justice Council Guidance on Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System for Practitioners
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Family Justice Council Guidance on Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System for Practitioners - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Sir Andrew McFarlane explains more about the guidance for legal practitioners working with neurodivergent users of the Family Justice System
https://buff.ly/3PXxlel
about 1 year ago
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Today is
#HolocaustMemorialDay
. I fall silent in remembrance of the victims of prejudice and persecution.
#WeRemember
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about 1 year ago
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If you have a recommendation for a UK-based occupational therapist with expertise in learning disabilities and autism who can act as an expert in court proceedings, please DM me!
about 1 year ago
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Looking forward to speaking about coercive control, influence and capacity when dealing with vulnerable clients, at 5:30pm next Weds 29 Jan in central London, with my DSC colleague Nancy Williams & Yogi Amin of Irwin Mitchell. Info below to book a spot.
about 1 year ago
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Searching for a UK-based occupational therapist with expertise in learning disabilities and autism who can act as an expert in court proceedings. Please DM me with recommendations!
about 1 year ago
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It was a delight to speak this morning at
#CerebralPalsyEurope's
online conference on political participation of people with disabilities
cerebralpalsyeurope.org
about 1 year ago
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I've just seen that the new Chief Coroner has published a "naughty list" of organisations that have not responded to Prevention of Future Deaths reports. Several central government ministries, NHS Trusts, 3 royal colleges and NICE are all on the list.
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Non-responses to Prevention of Future Death (PFD) reports - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
This report covers PFD responses due between 1 January 2024 – 13 December 2024
https://buff.ly/3WmVT3Y
over 1 year ago
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If you'd like a deep dive into the
#MentalHealthBill
, please join us at Doughty Street Chambers, 6pm on Tues 21 Jan, in-person or online. I'll be speaking about the potential impact on people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
https://buff.ly/4h6HMb4
over 1 year ago
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I love it when judges are creative. Yesterday I did a displacement of nearest relative hearing in the county court. The judge decided to also sit as a CoP judge, lift a stay in parallel CoP proceedings and list a combo hearing before the same judge wearing two hats. Streamlined and cost effective.
over 1 year ago
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Covid19 Bereaved Families for Justice member John Sullivan has died. He gave evidence to the inquiry about his daughter Susie who had Down's syndrome. He made a profound contribution to the inquiry and was a caring, sharp and witty man. May his memory be a blessing.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5UZ...
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UK Covid19 Inquiry Module 3 Hearing PM 10 September 2024
YouTube video by UK Covid-19 Inquiry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5UZ82e-P8U
over 1 year ago
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After 8 years as a trustee of the Bristol Law Centre (not yet on Bluesky) incl 4 as chair, today was my last board meeting following a planned transition. I’m proud to have been part of such a fabulous & impactful law centre. I wish the staff & trustees much success in the future! 💙
over 1 year ago
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Interesting point: “Capacity assessments would not assess whether someone felt they were a burden.” Capacity assessments are difficult enough in coercive control cases where the outcome isn’t death!
add a skeleton here at some point
over 1 year ago
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reposted by
Oliver Lewis
Disability Rights UK
over 1 year ago
🚨Human Rights Organisation Liberty: Assisted dying Bill presents serious safeguarding risks The bill has a “principles first, details later” approach which could lead to significant risks to marginalised and vulnerable groups, Liberty claimed.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/libe...
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Liberty: Assisted dying Bill presents serious safeguarding risks
The debate and expected vote on November 29 will be the first on the controversial issue in the Commons in almost a decade.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/liberty-bill-mps-commons-parliament-b2651650.html
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reposted by
Oliver Lewis
Fantastic intervention by
@baronesskeeley.bsky.social
who spoke of widespread concerns that removing learning disability and autism from the MHA "could lead to people being held under DOLS, and we must guard against that happening." Watch from 19:59
parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
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Parliamentlive.tv
House of Lords
https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/990c69a2-20c1-468b-b98c-00fa875d7af2
over 1 year ago
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Very good idea to have a Mental Health Commissioner, (modelled on the Children's Commissioner), but ofc we used to have entire MH Commission which was very strong. So strong that the government abolished it and watered down its powers into the puddle of the CQC.
over 1 year ago
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Fantastic intervention by
@baronesskeeley.bsky.social
who spoke of widespread concerns that removing learning disability and autism from the MHA "could lead to people being held under DOLS, and we must guard against that happening." Watch from 19:59
parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
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Parliamentlive.tv
House of Lords
https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/990c69a2-20c1-468b-b98c-00fa875d7af2
over 1 year ago
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reposted by
Oliver Lewis
Prof Ryan
over 1 year ago
New post from the much missed on social media Prof Hatton...
chrishatton.blogspot.com/2024/11/soci...
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Social care statistics and adults with learning disabilities in England - 2023/24 update
Every year NHS Digital (now absorbed into NHS England) publish statistics collected by councils related to social care and adults with learn...
https://chrishatton.blogspot.com/2024/11/social-care-statistics-and-adults-with.html
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Bravo! Lord
@paulscriven.bsky.social
says "The legislation itself will not change what happens" with people with learning disability / autism. He warns that DoLS will be applied, and people will lose out on s117 aftercare.
over 1 year ago
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Brilliant by
@ianbirrell.bsky.social
“I have investigated assisted dying in Europe and North America – it frees a genie from the bottle”
inews.co.uk/opinion/ther...
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I have investigated assisted dying in Europe – it frees a genie from the bottle
Unleashing state-sanctioned killing in healthcare is not ‘progressive’
https://inews.co.uk/opinion/theres-nothing-progressive-about-unleashing-state-sanctioned-killing-in-healthcare-3397942
over 1 year ago
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Interesting debate on the Mental Health Bill in the Lords. Many Peers talking about autism and learning disability, but few recognising the pitfalls that people will just be deprived of their liberty under 'DoLS' and will lose entitlement to aftercare.
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Five reasons why the Mental Health Bill won’t stop the detention of autistic people and people with learning disabilities
The Mental Health Bill reaches its second reading in the House of Lords tonight. This is a quick post to explain why it won’t stop the detention of autistic people and people with learning di…
https://thesmallplaces.wordpress.com/2024/11/25/five-reasons-why-the-mental-health-bill-wont-stop-the-detention-of-autistic-people-and-people-with-learning-disabilities/
over 1 year ago
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reposted by
Oliver Lewis
Baroness Barbara Keeley
over 1 year ago
I’m speaking in the
#MentalHealthBill
in the Lords today about the inappropriate detention of autistic people & people with learning disabilities Thanks to
@droliverlewis.bsky.social
&
@thesmallplaces.bsky.social
for their help & input
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Oliver Lewis
Open Justice Court of Protection Project
over 1 year ago
Hello to everyone on Bluesky - we've just joined. We're promoting
#OpenJustice
in the English Court of Protection by supporting members of the public to observe and blog about court hearings in the
#NotSecretCourt
Check out our website
openjusticecourtofprotection.org
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Promoting Open Justice in the Court of Protection
Post by @OpenJusticeCoP.
https://openjusticecourtofprotection.org
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House of Lords 2nd reading on the
#MentalHealthBill
starts at 2:30pm today, Monday 25 Nov. Look out for
@baronesskeeley.bsky.social
's speech 😀 Watch live -
parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
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Parliamentlive.tv
House of Lords
https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/990c69a2-20c1-468b-b98c-00fa875d7af2
over 1 year ago
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