About
The UK Supreme Court issued a landmark judgment on 2nd June 2026 which overturns the established legal definition of deprivation of liberty set out in the 2014 Cheshire West case A Reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland of a devolution issue under paragraph 34 of Schedule 10 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published interim guidance on 15th June 2026: Changes to the definition of deprivation of liberty – GOV.UK.
DHSC will publish further guidance in due course.
Therefore, DoLS information on our website is currently under review and will be updated when formal guidance becomes available.