Mind Cymru has joined forces with the Law Society of England and Wales on a call for evidence from people with lived experience of mental health tribunals in Wales.
Together, they are working to understand how recent changes to the tribunal process – which reviews whether a person’s mental health detention or treatment under the law is appropriate and should continue – are affecting those using it.
In June 2025, the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales (MHRTW) piloted a new approach for all tribunals to be delivered via videoconference, with in‑person hearings only available where requested.
Now this six‑month pilot has ended, online hearings appear to remain the default option in Wales, in place of in-person hearings. Mind Cymru and the Law Society want to ensure any long‑term changes are informed by the lived experiences of those directly impacted by this.
Simon Jones, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Mind Cymru, said:
“Understanding the lived experiences of people who rely on receiving timely support through the mental health tribunal process is crucial at a time when access to this is expected to increase under the new Mental Health Act.
“Tribunals are there to support anyone detained under the Act with the professional support they so rightly deserve when it comes to determining why these decisions have been made and, most importantly, as a means to appeal should they disagree.”
According to its annual report for 2024-25, the MHRTW received 1825 applications and referrals for tribunal hearings within that time. This number is likely to rise under the new Mental Health Act 2025, which will eventually provide people receiving in-patient mental health support with additional rights to apply to the tribunal too.
Mind Cymru and the Law Society are keen to build an accurate picture of what the move to predominantly online hearings means for accessibility, fairness, wellbeing and the overall experience of people engaging with the tribunal system with this in mind.
Call for contributions
People who have attended a mental health tribunal – recently or in the past – are invited to share their experiences through a short online survey designed to help inform future work around ensuring the process continues to meet the needs of those it supports.
Legal professionals including solicitors, advocates, tribunal representatives and others supporting clients in mental health settings are being encouraged to signpost people with lived experience towards the survey too. Simon added:
“Mind Cymru is appealing to anyone involved with this kind of work professionally to help ensure that a broad and representative range of voices is heard in relation to this issue.”
Anyone wishing to contribute can complete the survey online, here.
Mind Cymru is also encouraging professionals and organisations to share the survey link within their own networks to help gather as many perspectives as possible too.
