Part V Family Law, 28 Mental Incapacity

Subject(s):

Choice of law clauses — Jurisdiction clauses — Mental disorder

This chapter examines mental incapacity as a special issue in private international law. Problems arise in cases where, for example, a mentally incapacitated person may be present in one country but habitually resident in another when measures of protection are needed; or this person may own property situated in a country different from his present location or habitual residence that needs to be dealt with. This chapter considers the jurisdiction of the English courts to order protective measures over a mentally disordered or incapacitated person or over his property, as well as the choice of law rules governing the protection of mentally incapacitated persons, prior to and under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It also discusses the recognition and enforcement of protective measures taken abroad, along with cases outside the realm of the Mental Capacity Act.