About us

We are a network of approximately 150 academics, people with lived experience of mental difficulties, and other stakeholders with an interest in the law as it relates to mental diversity. We take that to include psycho-social conditions, developmental and intellectual disabilities, conditions relating to old age, personality disorders, and other similar conditions.

Traditional mental health law and mental capacity law are a significant part of our interests, but we do not believe that these can be viewed in isolation from a much wider range of legal and social factors. Members’ interests also include social welfare and housing law, immigration law, criminal law, employment law and human rights (both domestic and international), as well as issues of race, gender, sexuality and culture as they affect people with mental health issues, and professional, economic, administrative, governmental, regulatory and other social structures relevant to mental health/disability concerns.

The network focuses primarily on Britain and Ireland, but we have representation from other countries in Europe and beyond. Within the UK and Eire, our academic members come from 37 universities, and a wide array of disciplines.

We have an active programme for research students and early career researchers.

At our events, we work to ensure that at least twenty per cent of participants are people with lived experience. At our biennial conferences, we also work to ensure that half the plenary speakers have such experience. People with lived experience are also present on our organizing committee.

To join the network, click here.