Case summary: Re RD & Ors (Duties and powers of RPRs and s.39D IMCAs) [2016] EWCOP 49 (Baker J)

Five test cases involving elderly people (RD, JB, JP, EP and JW) who suffered from a form of dementia were identified to enable the court to consider the question of when an application should be made to court under section 21A MCA. All five individuals were being deprived of their liberty in a care home or hospital setting under a DOLS authorisation. The court gave general guidance as to the approach that should be adopted by RPRs and IMCAs in deciding whether to issue proceedings under s.21A.