2016

The Executive Office - programme for government 2016-2021 July 16

We commend the department for what this draft Programme for Government is trying to achieve.

We make a number of suggestions for additional indicators and measures.

We look forward to the publication of the action plans, which are essential in order to make these ideas real and meaningful. 

2015

Written evidence to the Ad Hoc Joint Committee on the Mental Capacity Bill July 2015

The Law Centre is content with the Bill's compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We are concerned that the Bill as it stands may not be fully compliant with article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in its requirements of respect for private and family life.

Written evidence to the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety on the Health and Social Care (Control of Data Processing) Bill July 2015

The Law Centre welcomes the introduction of this important legislation and is supportive of its general principles. We have some concerns about achieving the right balance which needs to be struck in the details between the public interest in the protection of confidentiality and the public interest in the efficient and effective provision of health and social care. 

 2014

Health and Social Care (Control of data processing) Bill October 2014

The Law Centre welcomes the introduction of this important legislation and is supportive of its general principles. We have some concerns about achieving the right balance which needs to be struck in the details between the public interest in the protection of confidentiality and the public interest in the efficient and effective provision of health and social care. We believe that these concerns can be addressed through Assembly scrutiny.

DHSSPS: Mental Capacity Bill September 2014

The Law Centre welcomes the publication of the draft Mental Capacity Bill as a key milestone to achieving progressive and rights-based reform of mental health legislation. We have provided a clause-by-clause response to the draft Bill and a response to both of the policy proposals for children and young people and for the criminal justice system.

2012

LCNI Response Private Hospital Regulations January 2012

2010

Response to DHSSPS EQIA Consultation on the Mental Capacity (Health, Welfare & Finance) Bill  October 2010

Northern Ireland Law Commission: Vulnerable Witnesses in Civil Proceedings   June 2010

The NILC considers whether law and practice for witnesses in civil proceedings is adequate or whether a more radical departure, such as the one taken in criminal law, is required to offer protection to witnesses.  LCNI’s response highlights the importance of offering adequate protections to those civil witnesses with mental health issues.

2009

DHSSPS:  Mental Health legislation – consultation to inform the Equality Screening and Equality Impact Assessment November 2009

DHSSPS: Law Centre Response to Draft Mental Health and Capacity Legislative Framework March 2009

DHSSPS: Personality Disorder:  A Diagnosis for Inclusion March 2009

2008

NIE: Comments on Executive’s response to the Bamford Review October 2008

2007

Prevention of Suicide in NI  October 2007

Consent: patients and doctors making decisions  August 2007

Bamford Review of Mental Health & Learning Disability: Legislation Reform  April 2007

Bamford Review of Mental Health & Learning Disability: Social Inclusion  March 2007

The Human Rights of Older Persons in Healthcare  February 2007

Complaints in the Health and Personal Social Services  February 2007

Guidance relating to definition of disability January 2007

2006

Bamford Review of Mental Health & Learning Disability – Human Rights & Equality of Opportunity Consultation  June 2006