nearest relative

nearest relative

A person—usually a partner, but in some cases a child, parent or even a friend—who, under the Mental Health Act 1983 (UK), can be regarded as the nearest relative of a particular person. A nearest relative has a number of important powers and functions in an individual’s care and in decisions related to that person’s health, including the right to discharge an individual who has been formally detained in hospital, apply for admission for assessment, treatment or guardianship, and to challenge an application for involuntary treatment or guardianship being made by an Approved Mental Health Worker.