Section 44: Ill-treatment or neglect

Mental Capacity Act 2005 · 2005 c. 9View on legislation.gov.uk

Part 1: Persons who lack capacity

Subsection (2) applies if a person ("D")—

has the care of a person ("P") who lacks, or whom D reasonably believes to lack, capacity,
is the donee of a lasting power of attorney, or an enduring power of attorney (within the meaning of Schedule 4), created by P, or
is a deputy appointed by the court for P.

D is guilty of an offence if he ill-treats or wilfully neglects P.

A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates' court or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or a fine or both.

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Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.