Commentary on Sections Part 7: Live Links in Criminal Proceedings Section 54: Live Links: patients detained in hospital under Mental Health Order
This Section extends the use of live links in certain court proceedings to include patients detained in hospital under Part 2 of the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986 – patients compulsorily admitted to hospital for psychiatric assessment or treatment.  Under existing legislation, only Part 3 psychiatric patients – those compulsorily admitted to hospital via the criminal justice system – are able to appear by live link.  (The proceedings affected are for accused persons in preliminary hearings, sentencing hearings and related appeals.)