The MHLA is the professional association of Mental Health Lawyers in England and Wales. Around 80% of lawyers representing clients in applications before the Mental Health Review Tribunal are members.
It is a requirement of membership that lawyers are members of the Law Society's Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel or are actively seeking membership.
In addition we have a category of Associate Members who are persons who have made a special contribution to the field of Mental Health law, such as barristers. We are now officially recognised by the Law Society as a Special Interest Group.
The Mental Health Lawyers Association was founded in April 2000. It was formed from the Mental Health Tribunal Advocates Group and the first Conference was held in November 2000. A further Conference was held in November 2001 at which we held our first Annual General Meeting which adopted a Constitution and elected Committee Members.
We are committed to maintaining the highest level of professionalism in representing our clients. This consists of constant updating of developments in Mental Health Law and also discussions and the sharing of information about practice before Mental Health Tribunals across the country. We are also committed to raising the profile of Mental Health Lawyers as a group of professionals who deal with an interesting but highly demanding client group.
We maintain contact with the Law Society, the Legal Services Commission and the Mental Health Tribunal Office and other interested parties to facilitate the exchange of information to best serve the interests of our clients. It has been said that one can judge a society on the way it deals with those who suffer severe emotional distress. We trust that such judgement may be more favourable as a result of the work of the Mental Health Lawyers Association.
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