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
- Jennifer Paton, Policy Lead, Law Society of Scotland
- Professor Colin McKay, Professor of Mental Health and Capacity Law, Edinburgh Napier University
- Ian Waitt, Mental Health Officer Service Manager, Subgroup Social Work Scotland
- Jo Savege, Adults with Incapacity Project Lead, Mental Welfare Commission
- Fiona Brown, Public Guardian, Office of the Public Guardian
- Dr Jude Halford, Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry for NHS Lothian and member of the RPsych Legislative Oversight Group