Articles | Georga Godwin | Legal and Training Services

Mental Health Act 2025 – Changes to Current Law

The long-awaited new Mental Health Act received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025. This Act…

Capacity to Commit a Crime

Caselaw confirms that the legal tests for capacity in the civil jurisdiction, i.e. under the…

Legal Issues Regarding the Use of Deprivation of Liberty Orders in Psychiatric Adolescent Units

Deprivation of Liberty Orders for children are granted either by the High Court or Court…

Testimonials

Trusted by clients and professionals alike.

A helpful refresher of everything MCA / DOLS related…helpful for supporting colleagues and also thinking about patient pathways

Dr Jane ByrneForensic Personality Disorder Service

Speaker was excellent – very clear and detailed information, engaging presentation. | Speaker was really excellent and provided good insight into how to deal with the MH legislation around people with PD. | Georga is very lovely to listen to. She makes the dry legal matters, more palatable

Medico-Legal Issues Masterclass ParticipantsRoyal College of Psychiatrists

Really enjoyed all the caselaw updates and examples as how these are used in practice. Thank you. Really informative, very knowledgeable.

Emma CoultonManager, Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopment Disorder Service

Working across health and criminal justice Georga’s training in legal frameworks, complex discharge planning and the mental capacity act has been invaluable in supporting the best outcomes for our patients.

Alice VanstoneService Manager, Community Forensic Services (FPD, FIND and the Community Forensic Team), Devon Partnership NHS Trust:

Georga has provided expert legal advice which has helped our patients with an absolute discharge from hospital – without her input we would still have patients on long delays without the quality of life they deserve.

Sarah JohnsonHead of Service, Adult Secure Care, South West Provider Collaborative

The content of her presentations has been highly relevant, thought provoking, well-structured and delivered in a very professional and engaging way, resulting in lots of helpful group discussion. Her overall knowledge, expertise, use of up-to-date case law, and amusing anecdotes were all very well received too.

Dr John O’BrienBirmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Expert services and guidance

Access specialist legal opinions, capacity assessments, professional training, and clear advice on detention under the Mental Health Act.

Training

Georga is regularly consulted by NHS Trusts and specialist groups in NHSE to provide tailored training on all areas of human rights, mental health, and capacity law. All training is bespoke, written specifically to cater for the profession of the delegates, and the areas in which they practice.

Legal Opinions

As well as providing legal opinions on all aspects of detention under Art. 5 of the European Convention of Human Rights, including all legal aspects of in-patient care and treatment, Georga provides legal opinions regarding risk-management strategies and legal frameworks necessary to authorise restrictions in the community.

Capacity Assessments

In order to ensure that the correct legal framework is in place to manage risks in the community Georga can assess the patient’s capacity, and provide a full opinion, based on current law, to take forward in any subsequent application to the courts.

Detention under the Mental Health Act

Georga’s specialism covers the whole of the Mental Health Act. She also has experience in and regularly makes representations based on mental capacity; family; and education law.