Information Note on the Court’s case-law 16

March 2000

J.T. v. the United Kingdom - 26494/95

Judgment 30.3.2000 [Section IV]

Article 8

Article 8-1

Respect for private life

Impossibility for psychiatric detainee to change "nearest relative": settlement between parties

The applicant spent some time in psychiatric detention. Various reports noted her difficult relationship with her mother and her wish that her moth er should be replaced as her "nearest relative", within the meaning of the relevant legislation, by a social worker. Her mother disagreed and the matter was unresolved.

The parties have reached a settlement providing for the legislation to be changed to al low a psychiatric detainee to request that the nearest relative be changed and to exclude certain persons from acting as nearest relative. The Government paid the applicant compensation of 500 pounds sterling (GBP) and her reasonable legal costs.

© Counci l of Europe/European Court of Human Rights This summary by the Registry does not bind the Court.

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