# Tribunal application rights of NR and patient on s37

**URL:** <https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/tribunal-application-rights-of-nr-and-patient-on-s37/4682>\
**Category:** Mental Health Act\
**Tags:** nr\
**Created:** [19 November 2025 20:17 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/tribunal-application-rights-of-nr-and-patient-on-s37/4682 "2025-11-19T20:17:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kemmasokol](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Kemmasokol](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Kemmasokol)\
**Post date:** [19 November 2025 20:17 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/tribunal-application-rights-of-nr-and-patient-on-s37/4682/1 "2025-11-19T20:17:43Z")

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The patient is on a notional Section 37. Their Nearest Relative applied to the Tribunal and the application has already been heard, but the patient was not discharged. Can the patient now make their own application now?

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**Author:** ![ZacSussex](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/z/e8c25b/32.png) [@ZacSussex](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/ZacSussex)\
**Post date:** [19 November 2025 20:36 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/tribunal-application-rights-of-nr-and-patient-on-s37/4682/2 "2025-11-19T20:36:38Z")

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Yes. A patient’s application and a nearest relative’s application are distinct statutory entitlements.

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**Author:** ![GuyDavis](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/eb9ed0/32.png) [@GuyDavis](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/GuyDavis)\
**Post date:** [20 November 2025 10:49 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/tribunal-application-rights-of-nr-and-patient-on-s37/4682/3 "2025-11-20T10:49:23Z")

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As Zac says; part of the reason being that the NR does not have the power of discharge under s.23.

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**Author:** ![Jonathan](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/user_avatar/forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/jonathan/32/88_2.png) [@Jonathan](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Jonathan)\
**Post date:** [22 November 2025 11:09 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/tribunal-application-rights-of-nr-and-patient-on-s37/4682/4 "2025-11-22T11:09:52Z")

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There’s a table of eligibility periods here: [Eligibility periods - Mental Health Law Online](https://www.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/Eligibility_periods).

Here’s the relevant extract:

> [s66](https://www.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/S66)(1)(f), (2)(f) (patient). [s69](https://www.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/S69)(1)(a) (which gives the NR the same rights as the patient). [s55](https://www.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/S55)(4) (which extends the meaning of s69(1)).