Health (Mental Services) Act, 1981

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PART V

Miscellaneous

Leave of the High Court for certain proceedings.

46.—(1) No civil proceedings shall be instituted in respect of an act purporting to have been done in pursuance of this Act save by leave of the High Court and such leave shall not be granted unless the High Court is satisfied that there are substantial grounds for contending that the person against whom the proceedings are to be brought acted in bad faith or without reasonable care.

(2) Notice of an application for leave of the High Court under subsection (1) shall be given to the person against whom it is proposed to institute the proceedings and that person shall be entitled to be heard against the application.

(3) Where proceedings are, by leave granted in pursuance of subsection (1), instituted in respect of an act purporting to have been done in pursuance of this Act, the court shall not determine the proceedings in favour of the plaintiff unless it is satisfied that the defendant acted in bad faith or without reasonable care.