On 2 June 2026, the UK Supreme Court handed down a landmark judgment in A Reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland [2026] UKSC 16 (AGNI). The decision marked a fundamental shift in the legal understanding of deprivation of liberty.

Six months after the ruling, this webinar will review the impact of this ruling This includes the overturning of Cheshire West, shifting to a contextual test for deprivation of liberty, and the resulting practice and legal challenges.

In this session, Alex Ruck Keene KC will explore this emerging area of law and its implications on social care practice. Alex is both an academic and a leading barrister specialising in mental capacity and human rights law, known for his influential work in deprivation of liberty across health and social care.

Learning outcomes

As a result of attending this session, participants will be able to:  

• Summarise how the legal interpretation of AGNI has developed in the six months since the judgment, including emerging case law and sector guidance.
• Critically evaluate how AGNI is being applied in practice, including variation across organisations and professional groups.
• Identify ongoing areas of uncertainty and legal risk, particularly in relation to Article 5, safeguarding, and human rights.
• Reflect on the impact of AGNI on systems and leadership, including governance, quality assurance, and workforce confidence.
• Apply evolving legal thinking to complex scenarios, strengthening justifiable decision-making and recording.