What is Mental Capacity Act?

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides the legal framework for decisions made on behalf of adults in England and Wales who lack capacity to decide for themselves. Five statutory principles include the presumption of capacity and the requirement to act in the person's best interests. The Act underpins Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Equivalent regimes exist in Scotland (Adults with Incapacity Act 2000) and Northern Ireland.