Cap. 525 Art. 8Criteria for involuntary admission.

(1) A person may only be admitted involuntarily to a licensed facility or, having already been admitted voluntarily, be detained as an involuntary patient in such facility if a specialist certifies that such person:

(a) has a severe mental disorder, and

(b) due to the mental disorder, there is a serious risk of physical harm to that person or to other persons, and

(c) failure to admit or detain that person is likely to lead to a serious deterioration in his condition or will prevent the administration of appropriate treatment that can not be given in the community: Provided that in case of emergency when there is a serious likelihood of immediate physical harm to the person or to third parties, a reasonable suspicion of severe mental disorder shall suffice.

(2) A person requiring custodial care only shall not be kept in a licensed facility as an involuntary patient.

(3) A person shall not be admitted to a licensed facility if other less restrictive alternatives such as community care can be utilised.