Tribunals, lawyers and withdrawals

There has been a substantial increase in the number of applications for Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) hearings since they were introduced under the Mental Health Act 1983. This article discusses the implications of an apparent high level of last‐minute cancellations of scheduled hearings, often linked to the absence of independent psychiatric reports (IPRs). The author suggests a streamlined ‘one medical member review’ system would reduce the likelihood of such costly cancellations.