The French Republic has had four laws governing the detention of people with a mental illness. The first dates from 1838 and remained in place until 1990. The most recent one was issued on 27 September 2013; it confirmed the role of the judge and strengthened the legal procedures. This new French mental health law is an attempt to find a balance between the protection of patients' rights and the need for treatment.
Since 2018 Algeria has had a new mental health law intended to be more practical and in line with international standards for patients’ rights and supervision of coercive measures. Despite its simpler formulation compared with the previous law it remains far from what psychiatrists need and what patients hope for. Some chapters are confusing and difficult to grasp. Like previous mental health laws, it is unlikely that the current law will actually be applied, owing to the huge gap between the core text and the available services.
The article describes the changes that have taken place in the mental healthcare system in Russia since a new mental health law came into force. The focus is on involuntary hospitalisation and the guarantee of patients' rights.
Richard Griffith, Senior Lecturer in Health Law at Swansea University, considers the role of the nearest relative, a statutory friend, appointed for patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983
The new French mental health law regarding psychiatric involuntary treatment