Sectioning

Explains your rights if you're sectioned and detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983.

This information applies to England and Wales.
This information applies to adults. It doesn't apply to children unless specifically stated.
In 2025 the government passed new laws making changes to the Mental Health Act. The changes will come in stages. For now, your rights under the Mental Health Act have not changed. We'll update our information when changes happen.

Useful contacts for sectioning

Mind's services

Mind's Legal Line gives legal information and general advice by phone, email or post.
Local Minds offer face-to-face services across England and Wales. These services include talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.

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:

In England – contact the Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS)
In Wales – contact Llais

If you've been sectioned, you have a right to access an independent mental health advocate (IMHA). You can ask the ward staff to arrange you a meeting with them.

To find out more, see our information on advocacy.

Useful contacts – sectioning and your rights

This list has details of organisations and services that can offer legal information, support and advice about being sectioned under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

03000 616 161
cqc.org.uk
[email protected]
Regulates and inspects health and social care services in England.

Citizens Advice

0800 144 8848 (England Adviceline)
0800 702 2020 (Wales Adviceline)
18001 0800 144 8884 (textphone)
citizensadvice.org.uk
Free, confidential information and advice on your rights. Including money, housing, discrimination and other problems. Provides helplines and a chat service on weekdays.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency
Maintains registers of drivers and vehicles.

First-tier Tribunal (Mental Health)

gov.uk/courts-tribunals/first-tier-tribunal-mental-health
Deals with cases in England relating to the Mental Health Act 1983.

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW)

hiw.org.uk
Independent regulator for healthcare in Wales. You can make complaints and give feedback on experiences of care in Wales.

Law Society

lawsociety.org.uk
Professional association for solicitors in England and Wales. Includes a searchable directory of solicitors.

Mental Health Lawyers Association

mhla.co.uk
Professional association for solicitors specialising in mental health law. Includes a list of solicitors by local area.

Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales

mentalhealthreviewtribunal.gov.wales
Deals with cases in Wales relating to the Mental Health Act 1983.

Rethink Mental Illness

0808 801 0525
rethink.org
Support and information for anyone affected by mental health problems, including local support groups.

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