Alexander Ruck Keene KC (Hon)

Practice Areas

Alex's practice is focused on mental capacity, mental health law and medical ethics. He also writes extensively in the three areas, including leading textbooks. Appointed Honorary KC in 2022 in recognition of his policy, academic and law reform contribution to capacity and mental health law. Cases in Court of Protection include Re Maguire [2023] UKSC 20 (Article 2 ECHR and detention under DOLS); Re JB [2021] UKSC 35 (first Supreme Court analysis of mental capacity); Re D [2019] UKSC 42 (meaning of deprivation of liberty in relation to 16/17 year olds).

Medical ethics cases include:

R (JJ) v Spectrum Community Healthcare CIC [2023] EWCA Civ 885 (risk feeding); AB v CD [2021] EWHC 741 (Fam) (interaction of parental responsibility and Gillick competence); Mental health cases include Munjaz v UK [2012] MHLR 351 (status of MHA Code of Practice).

Career

Professor of Practice, Kings College London. Research Affiliate, Essex Autonomy Project, University of Essex. Seconded to Law Commission Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty project 2016-2017; legal adviser to independent Review of Mental Health Act 1983, 2017. Special Adviser to Joint Committee on Human Rights for two inquiries in 2020-2.

Professional Memberships

CPBA,STEP, ELI, ALBA, MHLA, LAPG.

Publications

Leading MCA textbooks and www.mentalcapacitylawandpolicy.org.uk.