Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights states “Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be deprived of his liberty [unless] in accordance with a procedure prescribed by law”. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) is the legal procedure used to keep a person safe so as to keep them safe from harm. However, this procedure can be complex, confusing and difficult to understand. Malcolm Johnson and Chris Callender Head of Children’s Rights Advice Service at Article 39 have designed this seminar as an introduction to DoLS for advocates working with both children and patients in hospital. It will explain the legal framework, how the system works in practice and the latest decisions from the courts.
