Includes bibliographical references and index.

Background to the legal system and the mental capacity act -- Human rights and statutory principles for governing decision making -- Definition of mental capacity -- Making decisions in the best interests of others -- Lasting powers of attorney -- Court of protection, court appointed deputies, the office of the public guardian and visitors -- Independent mental capacity advocates -- Advance decisions -- Research -- Protection of vulnerable adults and accountability -- Children and young persons -- Mental capacity and mental disorder -- Organ and tissue removal, storage and use -- The informal carer -- Wales -- Implementation, resources, and code of practice -- Postscript.