# \#statutory-criteria

**URL:** https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/tag/statutory-criteria/142.md

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## ["Liable to be detained" confusion](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/liable-to-be-detained-confusion/6179)

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**Author:** [@Jonathan](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Jonathan)\
**Replies:** 7\
**Last updated:** [5 October 2026 17:03 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/liable-to-be-detained-confusion/6179 "2026-10-05T17:03:06Z")

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The whole “liable to be detained” concept has always puzzled me. If you’re arguing for a conditional discharge then you will likely be arguing that it’s not appropriate for the patient to be liable to be detained… but yo…

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## [How should the tribunal interpret the "necessity" criterion?](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/how-should-the-tribunal-interpret-the-necessity-criterion/5858)

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**Author:** [@Jonathan](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Jonathan)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [8 July 2026 12:00 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/how-should-the-tribunal-interpret-the-necessity-criterion/5858 "2026-07-08T12:00:49Z")

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I’ve just had a hearing at which the patient was discharged, but the tribunal decided that the test in s72(1)(b)(ii) (“it is necessary for the health of safety of the patient or for the protection of other persons that h…