Mental Capacity Act 2005
Explains how the Mental Capacity Act affects you and how you can plan ahead for when you no longer have the mental capacity to make decisions for yourself. Applies to England and Wales.
Useful contacts
How to find an advocate
To find advocacy services and groups in your area, you could call Mind's Legal Line on 0300 466 6463 or contact your local Mind.
If you're in hospital, you can also contact the:
- Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) in England
- Community Health Council in Wales
In some situations, you may be legally entitled to the support of an advocate. For more information, see our page on your legal rights to advocacy.
Other organisations
Civil Legal Advice (CLA)
gov.uk/civil-legal-advice
Can tell you if you're eligible for legal aid, and give you free and confidential legal advice if so.
Law Society
lawsociety.org.uk
Professional association for solicitors in England and Wales. Includes a searchable directory of solicitors.
Office of the Public Guardian
gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-public-guardian
Protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance.
Revolving Doors Agency
020 7407 0747
revolving-doors.org.uk
Supports people with mental health problems who have had contact with the criminal justice system.
This information was published in April 2023. We'll revise it in 2026.
References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.
