About the Tribunal

The Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland was created on 5 October 2005 by virtue of section 21 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 ("the 2003 Act").

The primary role of the Tribunal is to consider and determine applications for compulsory treatment orders (CTOs) under the 2003 Act and to operate in an appellate role to consider appeals against compulsory measures made under the 2003 Act. The Tribunal also plays a monitoring role by periodic review of compulsory measures.

The Tribunal discharges its functions through panels of three members: a legal member (who acts as Convener), a medical member and a general member. The judicial arm of the Tribunal is supported in its functions by the staff of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS). It works throughout Scotland, operating independently of Government, local authorities and the NHS. 



The President of the Tribunal presides over the discharge of the Tribunal's functions.

The current president is Laura Dunlop KC.

In this section you can find out:

How the tribunal is structured

Our aims, values and stakeholder engagement

How to contact us