Thank you both. I don’t think a strong argument can be made that the date/time on the H3 dictates when a patient is admitted as that would make the detention arbitrary as it would then be subject to vagaries of when someone filled in that form post admission and that cannot be correct. I agree with Jonathan and I have always seen the record of detention as an admin and not a legal form.
I have received an unsealed copy of the emailed s.29 MHA application which I will look at and speak with the client about later today (I have a CoP hearing this morning).
Fortunately I know the solicitor for the local authority so can hopefully have a sensible solicitor-solicitor conversation. I can see the hospital and AMHP going apoplectic in the circumstances and it will require careful management of the RC and AMHP as well as the client I think to avoid an unnecessarily unpleasant situation I fear.
I will keep the forum posted with what happens next.