Adults with incapacity reform: Expert Working Group

Overview

This group was established in September 2025 to support the development of reforms to adults with incapacity legislation. It brings together legal, clinical, academic, and lived experience expertise to examine key areas of reform and develop proposals for change.

The group is responsible for progressing workstreams on topics such as deprivation of liberty, guardianship, supported decision-making, and medical treatment. 

The group reports regularly to the ministerial oversight group and will contribute to the development of legislative proposals by June 2027.

Members

• Adrian Ward, Subject Matter Expert, Advisor
• Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon), Barrister, 39 Essex Chambers
• Audrey Graham,  Mental Welfare Commission
• Dr Connor Maguire, Vice President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and Consultant Geriatrician at Western General Hospital
• Dr Jude Halford, Consultant Liaison Psychiatry, Representative of the RPsych Legislative Oversight Group
• Dr Kathy Strachan, Consultant Acute and General Medicine, NHS Lothian 
• Dr Maggie Whyte, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist, Association of Clinical Psychologists and British Psychological Society
• Elaine Longwill, Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Adminstrators in Scotland Respresentative
• Fiona Brown, Public Guardian, Office of the Public Guardian 
• Ian Waitt, Mental Health Officer Service Manager, Subgroup Social Work Scotland
• Jennifer Paton, Policy Lead, Law Society of Scotland 
• Legislation Implementation Manager, Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service
• Professional Social Work Advisor for Mental Health, National Social Work Agency (NSWA)
• Professor Colin McKay, Professor of Mental Health and Capacity Law, Edinburgh Napier University

Publications