R v Bournewood Community and Mental Health NHS Trust

The case R v Bournewood Community and Mental Health NHS Trust (1999) addressed whether someone detained involuntarily in a hospital without formal legal procedures is considered to be deprived of their liberty under the law. Jeremy Hughes was kept in a hospital against his will without formal detention or a court order. The court ruled that, because he was not formally detained and was free to leave, his treatment did not amount to a deprivation of liberty under the European Convention on Human Rights. This case highlighted the importance of clear legal standards to protect individuals’ rights when they are detained for mental health reasons.