Testing Capaciy Brief Overview Two Stage Test

It is surprising (and perhaps somewhat worrying) that many mental capacity assessors are not fully aware of the correct test or tests for mental capacity.

I was speaking to a GP very recently who was telling me about his recent assessment of a client’s capacity to litigate. Unfortunately, he had never heard of Dunhill v Burgin (or Mastermann-Lister), and had made his assessment without reference to the criteria of either!

Whilst the two-stage test, as outlined in the Mental Capacity Act, is the most commonly used test, it is vital that assessors are aware of the various categories that it doesn’t cover, as well as the correct tests to apply in place of, or in conjunction with it.

The two-stage test of capacity

For sake of clarity, I have outlined the two-stage test of capacity below. Additionally, I have included some of the areas that are not covered by it.

In order to assess capacity, the following two-stage test must have been followed:

Is there an impairment of or disturbance in the functioning of the person’s mind or brain?
Is the impairment or disturbance sufficient that the person lacks the capacity to make that particular decision?

The second stage of the test (or functional test) dictates that the person is unable to make a decision if they cannot:

1. Understand information about the decision to be made
2. Retain that information in their mind
3. Use or weigh-up the information as part of the decision process
4. Communicate their decision

If a person lacks capacity in any of these areas, then this represents a lack of capacity (Mental Capacity Act 2005: Code of Practice).

What is not covered by the Mental Capacity Act?

Whilst the MCA (2005) covers many areas there are a number which are deemed to fall outside of the Act. As such, these are instead governed by existing common and case law. Those identified within the Act itself are:

Marriage and Civil partnerships
Divorce
Sexual relationships
Placing a child up for adoption
Taking over parental responsibility for a child
Consent to fertility treatment
Voting
Detention or treatment of people under the Mental Health Act

There are of course other decisions that are not covered solely by the MCA, including testamentary capacity and capacity to litigate to name just two.

Understanding the limitations of the Mental Capacity Act is as important as understanding the practicalities of actually assessing.If you would like more information about when to use the Mental Capacity Act then please contact us on 0800 612 9660 or 03303 112541 or email enquiries@braininjurygroup.co.uk

The 5 Key Principles of the Mental Capacity Act

The 5 Key Principles of the Mental Capacity Act

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