I agree with Ian about using s17 leave to authorise deprivation of liberty for the time being.
How long does the Court of Protection take these days? Would this be a Re X case?
It doesn’t make it right, but if your client were to be unlawfully detained he would be a drop in the ocean. Just looking at DOLS applications that have been made, “The reported number of cases that were not completed as at year end was 129,780” and “The proportion of standard applications completed within the statutory timeframe of 21 days was 23.6% in 2019-20. The average length of time for all completed applications was 142 days.” (NHS Digital, ‘Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards England, 2019-20’ (12/11/20)).