The Lunacy Act 1890 (
53 & 54 Vict. c. 5) formed the basis of
mental health law
Mental health law includes a wide variety of legal topics and pertain to people with a diagnosis or possible diagnosis of a mental health condition, and to those involved in managing or treating such people. Laws that relate to mental health incl ...
in
England and Wales
England and Wales () is one of the three legal jurisdictions of the United Kingdom. It covers the constituent countries England and Wales and was formed by the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542. The substantive law of the jurisdiction is Eng ...
from 1890 until 1959. It placed an obligation on local authorities to maintain institutions for the mentally ill.
References
{{UK legislation
1890 in British law
United Kingdom Acts of Parliament 1890
Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom concerning England and Wales
Legal history of England
Mental health legal history of the United Kingdom