James Lofthouse appointed as a Restricted Patient Panel Judge in the Mental Health Tribunal

The Tribunal considers applications by patients detained under the Mental Health Act. Every case is decided by a panel chaired by a Judge, together with a Medical Member and Specialist Member. Restricted patients are mentally disordered offenders who are detained in hospital for treatment and who are subject to special controls by the Secretary of State for Justice due to the level of risk they pose. The position is limited to Circuit Judges and experienced Recorders. James will sit around 30 days a year in this role whilst maintaining his busy practice in Chambers as Head of the Prosecution Team and continuing to sit as a Recorder.