Soo Lee and Sharon Coomber examine recent changes to mental health tribunal governance in England and how they will affect nursing professionals who give evidence at them

This article aims to update mental health nurses about recent changes in mental health tribunal rules and practice directions, and highlights specific information required by the tribunal. Confidentiality and its potential effect on assessment outcomes in relation to consultations with nearest relatives is also discussed. In their evidence, professionals are urged to identify nursing contributions that justify detention, as required in the legal criteria under specific sections of the Mental Health Act. Issues relating to the pre-hearing examination by a tribunal medical member and interaction with patients’ legal representatives are also considered.