Commons Human Rights Committee launches inquiry into reform of DoLS

The House Commons Human Rights Committee has launched an inquiry into the reform of DoLS. They are looking into delays in implementing the Law Commission made proposals for reform made in March 2017 and note that 4 years on from the Cheshire West judgment nothing has changed.

Announcing the inquiry Harriet Harman, Chair of the Committee, said:

"This could affect your child, your brother or sister, your mother or father. The Committee wants to know -- does the system protect people's rights or is it working against them?" 

The Committee is issuing an open call for evidence from interested parties and would welcome written submissions by Friday 2 March on:  

• Whether the Law Commission’s proposals for Liberty Protection Safeguards strike the correct balance between adequate protection for human rights with the need for a scheme which is less bureaucratic and onerous than the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
• Whether the Government should proceed to implement the proposals for Liberty Protection Safeguards as a matter of urgency
• Whether a definition of deprivation of liberty for care and treatment should be debated by Parliament and set out in statute 

Submissions should be no more than 1,500 words.

You can read how to submit evidence on the Parliament website here