HCCH - Proceedings of the Special Commission of a diplomatic character of September-October 1999 - Protection of adults

Conférence de La Haye de droil international privé Hague Conference on private international law Actes et documents de la Commis sion spéciale à caractère diplomatique 20 septembre au 2 octobre 1999 Proceedings of the Special Commission with a diplomatie character 20 September to 2 October 1999 Protection des adultes Protection of adults Edités par Ie Bureau Permanent de la Conférence Editions SDUlLa Haye, Pays-Basl2003 Edited by the Permanent Bureau of the Conference SDU PublishersfThe Hague, Netherlands/2003ISBN 90-808014·(·0Avis au lecteur Le présent volume conlient la totalité des documenls el des procès-verbaux de la Commission spéciale à carac­ lère diplomatique de la Conférence de La Haye de droil imemational privé concemant la Convention sur la pro­ tection internationale de.-; adultes. CeHe Convention, tout en constituant un traité interna­ tional distinc[, s'inscrit dans la lignée de la Convention concemanl1a compétence, la loi applicablc, la reconnais­ sance, l'cxécuüon el la coopération en matière de res­ ponsabililé parentale el de mesures de prolection des enfants. En effet, c' est à la suite de l' adoption du projet de Convention sur la pcmcction des enfants que la Dix­ huitième session diplomatique de la Conférence de La Haye a décidé, Ie 19 oClObre 1996 (Acte linal, Partie B, 2), d'insLituer UDe Commission spéciale à caractèrc di­ plomatique aftn de poursuivre les travaux sur l'élabora­ tion d'une convention SUr la protection des adultes. Trois ans plus [ard, Ie 2 oclobre 1999, les Délégués ayanl

plomatique aftn de poursuivre les travaux sur l'élabora­ tion d'une convention SUr la protection des adultes. Trois ans plus [ard, Ie 2 oclobre 1999, les Délégués ayanl participé à cene Commission spécia!e signaienl I' Acte lina! consignanI Ie projet de Convention. Celle-ci porte aujourd'hui la date de la première signawre par Ie Royaume des Pays-Bas, Ie 13 janvier 2000. Dans cet ouvrage, on trouve tout d'abord un certain nombre de documents préIiminaires, pa.rm1 Iesquels des «texLe et documenl de référence» préparés par Ie Bureau Permanent, conjointement avec Ie groupe de Lravail d' avril 1997 el son groupe de rédaction de juin 1997 ; I' avant-projet de Convention sur la compétence, la loi applicable, la reconnaissance, I' exécution et la coopéra­ tion en matière de protection des adultes adopté par ]a Commission spéciale de jUln 1997 ; ainsi que des obser­ vations des Gouvernements sur eet avant-projet el un rapport explicaLif élabli par Ie Professeur P. Lagarde. Suivent les procès-verbaux el documents de travail de la Commission spéciale à caractère diplomatique. Enfin, Ie volume contient les procès-verbaux de la séance plénière finale qui a approuvé Ie projet de Convention, Ie tex.re de la Convention adoptée et Ie Rapport explicaLif du Professeur P. Lagarde. Celui-ci ne se borne pas à com­ pléter Ie Rapport explicalif de la Commission spéciale de 1997, mais constitue plutöt un commentaire autonome de la Convention.

la Convention adoptée et Ie Rapport explicaLif du Professeur P. Lagarde. Celui-ci ne se borne pas à com­ pléter Ie Rapport explicalif de la Commission spéciale de 1997, mais constitue plutöt un commentaire autonome de la Convention. On rrouvera à la fin du volume des tables permeuanl de retrouver rapidement les discussions sur un point parti­ culier. L'édition de ces Actes et documents a éLé assurée par Sarah Adam, Céline Chaleau, Véronique Goye[le e< Caroline Hamois. La qualilé de la composition et de la typographie témoigne de leur professionalisme et de leur minutie. Avis au lecteur Notice to the reader This volume contains all the documents and the minutes of the Special Commission of a diplomatic character of the Hague Conference on priv3[e international law con­ ceming [he Convention on the international protection of adults. Although this Convention forms an international Treaty on its own, it is set in the Hne of the Convention on Jurisdiction, Appticable Law, Recognition, Enforcemenl and Co-operation in Respect of Parenlal Responsibility and measures for tbe Proleclion of Children. Il is indeed af[er the draft Convention on the protection of children was adopled Ihal tbe Eighteentb Diplomatic Session of tbe Hague Conference decided, on 19 OClober 1996 (Final Ac[, Part B, 2) 10 sel up a Special Commission of a diplomatie character in order to pUTsue Lhe work on the development of a convention on che protection of adults. Tbree years later, on 20clober 1999, tbe Delegales who had participated in tbat Special Commission signed tbe Final Act encompassing tbe drafl Convention. The Con­ vention is now dated 13 January 2000, from tbe date of

Tbree years later, on 20clober 1999, tbe Delegales who had participated in tbat Special Commission signed tbe Final Act encompassing tbe drafl Convention. The Con­ vention is now dated 13 January 2000, from tbe date of tbe lirsl signalure by tbe Kingdom of [he Netberlands. In chis volume you will find a number of preliminary documents, including text and reference docurnents pre­ pared by Ihe Permanent Bureau joinUy with tbe working group of April 1997 and ils drafting group of June 1997; the Preliminary draft Convention on jurisdiction, appli­ cable law, recognition, enforcement and co-operation in respecr of tbe protecLion of adulls adopted by tbe Special Commission on 12 September 1997, as weil as Com­ ments of the Govemments on tha[ draft and an explana10ry report drawn up by Professor P. Lagarde. Following the preliminary documenls are the minutes and working documents of the Special Commission of a diplomatie eharacter. FinaIly, the volume contains the minutes of lhe final plenary session, which approved the draf[ Convention, tbe texl of tbe Convention as adopled, and tbe Explanatory Report of Professor P. Lagarde. The laller nol only supplemenls tbe 1997 Special Commis­ sion report, but also constitmes an autonomous commen­ tary on the Convention. AI tbe end of Ibis volume you willlind lables, which will enable you 10 fiod rapidly tbe discussions on a particular point. Editing of tbe Proceedings has been carried oU[ by Sarah Adam, Cétine Chaleau, Véronique Goyelle and Carotine Hamois. The quatily of tbe I.youl and Iype­ script give witness of their professionalism and their allention to detail. Notice to the reader 5Le présent ouvrage peut être commandé au Bureau

Carotine Hamois. The quatily of tbe I.youl and Iype­ script give witness of their professionalism and their allention to detail. Notice to the reader 5Le présent ouvrage peut être commandé au Bureau PennanenL de la Conférence de La Haye de droit inter­ national privé, 6, Scheveningseweg, 2517 KT La Haye, Pays-Bas (fax: +31 (70) 360 48 67, courriel: secretariat@hcch.net, site Internet: www.hcch.net) ou par l'intennédiaire des librairies. Le Secrétaire général de la Conférence

J.H.A. VAN LOON

6 Le Présidenl de la Commission d'Etal néer­ landaise de droit inlernalional privé, A.V.M. STRUYCKEN Avis au lecteur This book can be ordered from !he Permanent Bureau of tbe Haglle Conference on private international law, Scheveningseweg 6, 2517 KT The Hague, Nelherlands (fax: +31 (70) 360 48 67, e-mail: secretarial@hcch.net, websiLe: www.hcch.net). or lhrollgh professional book­ sellers. The Secretary General of lhe Conference, J.H.A. VAN LOON The President of the Netherlands Standing Government Committee on Private InLernational Law.

A. V.M. STRUYCKEN Natice ta the readerCommission spéeiale à earaetère diplomatique Special Commis sion of a diplomatie eharaeter Travaux préliminaires Preliminary workLisle des documents préliminaires I «Report on incapable and other vulnerable adults», éta­ bli par Ie Docteur E. Clive, Commissaire législalif, Com­

eharaeter Travaux préliminaires Preliminary workLisle des documents préliminaires I «Report on incapable and other vulnerable adults», éta­ bli par Ie Docteur E. Clive, Commissaire législalif, Com­ mission des lois écossaise. à la demande du ConseH de I'Europe. - (Document de jan vier 1997), infra, p. 10 «Les majeurs protégés en drail international privé el la pralique notariale», documenl préparé par Mariel Revillard pour Ie Groupe de travail du 14 au 17 avril 1997. - (Document d'avriI1997), in/ra, p. 29. «Note sur la proLection des incapables majeurs», Docu­ ment à ]'attention de la Dix-huitième session de la Confé­ rence de La Haye, préparé par Adair Dyer. - (Document préliminaire No 14 de septembre 1996), infra, p. 36. Texte el document de référence préparés par Ie Bureau Pennanent conjoinlement avec Ie Groupe de travail d'avril 1997 et son Groupe de rédaclion de juin 1997. - (Document préliminaire No 1 de juillet 1997), in/ra, p.52. Avant-projet de Convention conceman[ la compétence, la loi applicabie, la reconnaissance. l'exéculion et la co­ opération en malière de proteclion des adultes adoplé par la Commission spéciaIe Ie 12 septembre 1997 (et rapport du Professeur Lagarde.) - (Document préliminaire No 2 de juin 1998), infra, p. 76. Observaûons des GouvernemenlS et des Organisations internationales sm l'avant-projet de Convention - (Do­

du Professeur Lagarde.) - (Document préliminaire No 2 de juin 1998), infra, p. 76. Observaûons des GouvernemenlS et des Organisations internationales sm l'avant-projet de Convention - (Do­ cument préliminaire No 3 d'aoQt 1999), in/ra, p. 132. ( La Lable des mllÛèrcs se tmuve à la fin du présenl [ome:. 8 Liste des documents préliminairesList of prelirninary documents I Report on incapable and other vulnerable adults', report prepared by Or Eric Clive, Law Commissioner, Scortish Law Commission, a[ Lbe request of the Council of Eu­ rope. - (Document of January 1997), infra, p.W. 'Les majeurs protégés en droit inIemational privé el la pratique notariale', document prepared by Mariel Revillard for lbe Working Group of 14-17 April 1997. - (Document of April 1997), infra, p. 29. 'Nate on the protection of incapacitaled adults' . Docu­ menl for lbe attention of lbe Eighleenth Session of lbe Hague Conference, prepared by Adair Oyer. - (Prelimi­ nary Document No 14 of September 1996), infra, p. 37. Text and reference document prepared by the Permanent Bureau jointly with the Working Group of April 1997 and its Oralting Group of June 1997. - (Preliminary Document No 1 of July 1997), infra, p. 53. Preliminary draft Convention on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition, enforcement and co-operation in re­ speet of the protection of adultS adopted by the Special Commission on 12 September 1997 (and Report by Paul Lagarde.) - (Preliminary Document No 2 of June 1998), infra, p. 77.

law, recognition, enforcement and co-operation in re­ speet of the protection of adultS adopted by the Special Commission on 12 September 1997 (and Report by Paul Lagarde.) - (Preliminary Document No 2 of June 1998), infra, p. 77. Comments of tbe Govemments and of tbe Imemational Organisations on tbe preliminary deafl Convention - (Preliminary Document No 3 of August 1999), infra, p. 132. I The table of coments appcan at tbe end of this volume. List of preliminary documents 9Report on incapable and other vulnerable adults prepared by Dr Eric Clive" CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTTON L 1 Terms of reference. The purpose of this report is 'In the light of recenl or proposed legislation, 10 study and make proposals which could be accepted at a Euro­ pean level on: tbe notion of incapable adul[s and tbe scope of inca­ pacily; a legal set of principles applicable to the prolection (including assistanee) of incapable adults in the personal and economie sphere and the field of medical inlerven­ Lions; representation of incapable adults: tbe role of close family members, Jegal represenLatives and carers.· 1.2 Group of Specialists on /ncapable and Other Vul­ nerable Adults (Cl-S-M/J. The report is being produced in connection with tbe work of tbe Group of Specialists on Incapable and Other Vulnerable AdullS (CI-S-MI)2 which was set up in 1995 by tbe European Commitlee on Legal Co-operation (CDCl) with the following tenns of reference. 'In the lighl of the work carried oul under the authority of the CDCI in the field of family law: a. 10 sludy and prepase draft principles concerning the legal aspecls of aclS of incapable and other vulnerable adulls;

of reference. 'In the lighl of the work carried oul under the authority of the CDCI in the field of family law: a. 10 sludy and prepase draft principles concerning the legal aspecls of aclS of incapable and other vulnerable adulls; b. 10 study and prepase draft principles concerning the role and dulies of represenLatives. carers, judicia! and adminislrative authorities to assis[ and proLeet such per­ sons; c. 10 make proposals to the CDCI with a view to the drafLing of aD international instrument (convention or recomrnendation) in these matters.' 1.3 Current state of work in the Group of Specialists. At the time of preparing this Repon the Group of Spe­ cialists has held lwo meetings3 at which certain provi­ siona! conclusions were reached. The Group had the benefil of the proceedings of the Third European Confer­ ence on Family Law, which was held al Cadiz from 20-22 April 1995 and at which one of the major items on the agenda was 'The position of incapacitated and " Rcproduced ",ilh (he kind pcnni5sion ol lhc CouDeii of Europe. l Rcferred lO trom no'#l on as. 'lhe Group of Specialis(S'. The English tille of !.he Group originally refem..d la 'incapacitltcd' adults bUl thls was changed after the ~ond meeting beciluse tbe word' incapacililled' was. tbought to be more appro­ priale la !he narro'#l c1as.s of adults who had been tbe subject of a Icgal meas~ removing thcir lcga1 capacity. The Group's concern '#las Wlth tbe appropriale lega] response la tbe noeds of these adults who were in fact incapable of certain thlngs.

removing thcir lcga1 capacity. The Group's concern '#las Wlth tbe appropriale lega] response la tbe noeds of these adults who were in fact incapable of certain thlngs. ~ The Iiesl meeting was al Strnsboucg from 15-17 April 19% and tbe sccond at Strnsbourg from 4-7 November 1996. 10 Clive Report other vulnerable adults'. The Group a1so had the benefil of the discussions on this lOpic which look place al the Commitlee of Experts on Family Law (Cl-FA) at Cadiz from 24-27 April 1995. 1.4 Scope of Group's mandate. It is cleas from the remit 10 the Group of SpecialisIs that the primasy con­ cern of the Group is with legal aspecls of the proleCtion of incapable and other vulnerable adults by means of representation or assistance in the management of econ­ omie affairs or in the taking of decisions in relation lo personal welfase, inc1uding decisions in the health case field. The origin .nd composition of the Group, and the fact that mher aspects of protection have been, or are being, deall with elsewhere within tbe Council of Europe framework: make it cleas thaI the Group is not expected la deal with socia! protection or measures of social assis­ tance in a broad sense, or with the treatment or compul­ sory placement of tbe memally ill. 1.5 Questionnaire anJ responses. Af ter its first meeting the Group of Specialis[S sent a questionnaire on issues coneerning incapable adults [0 the govemments of mem­ ber stales for reply before 15 October 1996. The re­ sponses lo the questionnaire provide a rieh source of infannation which has been taken into account in writ­ ing tbis report. CHAPTER 11 - BACKGROUND FacluaI background 2.1 Demographic changes. The numbers and the pro­ portions of old people in European populations ase in­

sponses lo the questionnaire provide a rieh source of infannation which has been taken into account in writ­ ing tbis report. CHAPTER 11 - BACKGROUND FacluaI background 2.1 Demographic changes. The numbers and the pro­ portions of old people in European populations ase in­ creasing. ~ There are several reasons for this - including improved living condilions and medical adv.nces. Il is wen known that the incidence of dementia increases markedly with age_ The ne[ result is that there are more people in European countries who suffer from dementia and who are accordingly unable to take proper care of their own personalor economie alfairs. 2.2 Medical developments. Medical developments have meanl thaI some people who would fonnerly have died of a disease. condition or injury can now be kept alive. sometimes however with a reduced meDIaI capacity_ Medical developments in the Ireatmenl of mental illness have a1so meant that a lasge number of patienls who would fonnerly have required instilutional care can now live in the community. Some such people may be vul­ nerable and in need of measures of protection. 2.3 Social changes. The "increased number of ineapable and vulnerable adults in the community has coincided with socia) changes whieh have resulted in an increased need for adequate protective laws_ People are more mo­ bile. Traditional family strucrures ase changing and, in many cases, breaking down. There is, at least in some eountries, a more widespread distribution of resources. Many inca pa bIe or vulnerable adults will have a righl to some state benefits or pensions and many older people suffering from dementia will have had an opportunity ta accumulate some property 4 Il will he noted, in particular, thllt tbe Commirtce of E,;pens on Psychiatry and Human Rights (CAHPS) is currendy examining apossibIe revjsion or replacement

and many older people suffering from dementia will have had an opportunity ta accumulate some property 4 Il will he noted, in particular, thllt tbe Commirtce of E,;pens on Psychiatry and Human Rights (CAHPS) is currendy examining apossibIe revjsion or replacement of Parliamenwy Assembly Recommendation 1235 (1994) on psychiatry and human righUL S Recommendation No 1035 (1986) of tbc Parliamentary Assembly of tbe Coun­ eil of &cope noCfd (hal during Che period from 1990 {o 2020 'i. increase.s of 20 per cent and more are cxpected in die 4S·60 age-group and of 15-20 per eeRT in lhe 6S and over; ii. thcm will be a diliproponiOnatc gmwth in the number of vcry old people, aged BO and over, which would he one-third of tbe size of thi5 group.' Rcsolution No 1008 (1993) of lhe Parliamenwy Assembly noled thal 'In tbe Council of Europe Membcr Stales, over 60 million pcople out of alolal popularion of 480 mi1lion are in tbe elderly cau:gory, and tbe proponion is gmw­ lOg constanlly.' Clive Reportduring tbeir working lives. Laws wbich may have been designed at one time 10 deal witb tbe problems of a small property-owning minority now have to be applied much more widely. 2.4 Changes in attitudes. The second half of Lbe lwen­ tielh century has seen a greally increased emphasis on human righls. This affects tbe allJtudes to tbe care and prolection of incapable and otber vulnerable people. There is a recognition thal existing freedoms and capaci­ ties should be preserved as much as possible and tbat measures wbich needlessly lake away people's rights are

human righls. This affects tbe allJtudes to tbe care and prolection of incapable and otber vulnerable people. There is a recognition thal existing freedoms and capaci­ ties should be preserved as much as possible and tbat measures wbich needlessly lake away people's rights are indefensible. There is also a much greater emphasis on personal welfare as opposed to me mere preservation of property. Uniled Notions inslrumenls6 2.5 The Universal Dec/aration of HU/mln Rights. Article I of tbe Declaration provides tbal 'All human beings are bom free and equal in dignity and righls .. .' Article 2 provides tbal 'everyone' is entilled to tbe rights and freedoms set out in tbe Dec1aration and article 7 sLales that 'All are equal before tbe law ... and entitled to equal protection against any discrimination ... .' These general statements are both reJevam and important in any consideration of the position of incapable or other vulnerable adulls. 2.6 The United Nations declaration on the rights of mentally retarded persons_ In 1971 Lbe General Assem­ bly of tbe United Nations proclaimed a declaration on tbe rights of mentally retarded persons and called for nalional and international action ta ensure that it wauld be used as a camman basis and frame of reference for the prolection of these rights_7 The fallowing provisions of the declaration are of particular importance in the presenl context. '\. The mentally retarded person has, to tbe maximum degree of feasibilily, tbe same rights as otber human beings.

2. The mentally retarded person has a righl to ... such ... guidance as will enable him to develop bis ability and maximum potenlial. ...

5. The mentally retarded person has a right to a quali­ fied guardian when this is required ta prolect rus per­ sanal well-being and interests.

6. The memally retarded person has a right to prolee­

... guidance as will enable him to develop bis ability and maximum potenlial. ...

5. The mentally retarded person has a right to a quali­ fied guardian when this is required ta prolect rus per­ sanal well-being and interests.

6. The memally retarded person has a right to prolee­ tion from exploitation, abuse and degrading rreatment ,_,

7. Whenever menlally retarded persons are unable, be­ cause af me severity of their handicap, to exercise all their rights in a meaningful way or it should become necessary to restrict or deny some or all of these rights, tbe procedure used for tbal restriction or denial of rights must contain proper legal safeguards against every fann of abuse, This procedure must be based on an evalualion of tbe social capability of Ihe menLally retarded person by qualified experts and must be subjeeIlo periodic review and to tbe right of appeal 10 higher autborities.' 2.7 United Nations dec/aration on the rights of dis­ abled persons. In 1975 tbe General Assembly of tbe United Nalions proclaimed a declaration on the righls of disabled persons" In Ibis declaration tbe teno 'disabled 6 The ruU leXL of relevant Uni~ Nalions Resolutions ..... as made available to lhe Group of Specialisl'l 00 lncapable and olher Vulnerable Adulls by the seçrelllrilU

(O-S-MI (96) 5 (Restricred». There is 0 useful review of lhe inlemalÎonal ins[[U­ menlS in the repon on Humnn RignlJ' and Disabled PersonJ' by Leandro Oespouy, Special Rapponeur of Ihe Sub-Commission on Preventioo of Discriminalion and Proleclion of Minorities (UniLed Nations, 1993). 7 Resolution 2856(XXVI) of !he General Assembly, 20 December 1971. g Resolulion 3447(XXX) of the Generni Assembly, 9 December 1975.

Proleclion of Minorities (UniLed Nations, 1993). 7 Resolution 2856(XXVI) of !he General Assembly, 20 December 1971. g Resolulion 3447(XXX) of the Generni Assembly, 9 December 1975. Clive Report person' covers any person unable to ensure by himself or herself, wholly or panly, tbe necessilies of anormal, individual and social life, as a result of a deficiency, either congenital or not, in rus or her physical or mental capabilities. The following provisions of the declaration are of particular relevanee in me present conlext. '3. Disabled persons have tbe inherent righl to respeel for tbeir human dignity ...

4. Disabled persons have tbe same civil and political righls as olher human beings ...

6. Disabled persons have tbe right to ... aid ... and otber services which will enable them to develop theic capa­ bilities and skills to tbe maximum and will hasten tbe process of their social integralion or reintegration_' 2_8 United Nations resolution on the protection of per­ sons with mental illness and the improvement of mental health care. In 1991 tbe General Assembly of tbe Uni led Nations passed a resolution adopting certain principles far me prolectian of persons wilh mental ilIness and for tbe improvemenl of menlal healtb care-ParticularIy rel­ evanl to tbis report are paragraphs 6 and 7 of principle 1 which provides as follows: '6. Any decision Ihat, by reason of his or her menlal illness. a person lacks legal capacily, and any decision thal, in consequence of such incapacily, a personal rep­ resemalive shall be appoinled, shall be made only after a fair hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal established by domestic law. The person whose capacity is al issue shall be entilled to be represented by a coun­

thal, in consequence of such incapacily, a personal rep­ resemalive shall be appoinled, shall be made only after a fair hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal established by domestic law. The person whose capacity is al issue shall be entilled to be represented by a coun­ sel. If me persan whose capacily is at issue does not himself or herself secure such represenlation, it shall be made available witbout paymenl by tbat person to tbe extenl that he or she does nm have sufficient means ta pay for it. The counsel shall not in the same proceedings represenL amental health facility or its personnel and shall not also represent a member of tbe family of tbe person whose capacity is al issue unless the rribunal is satisfied that there is no conflict of interest. Decisions regarding capacily and me need far a personal represen­ talive shall be reviewed at reasonable intervals prescribed by domestic 1aw. The person whose capacity is at issue, his or her personal represenLative. if any, and any other inleresled person shall have tbe right to appeal to a higher court against any such decision. 7 _ Where a court or other competent tribunal finds that a person with mental illness is unable ta manage his or her own aJfairs, measures shall be taken, so far as is nec­ essary and appropriate to that person's condition, to ensure tbe protection of his or her interesls.' Council of Europe inslrumenls 2,9 The European Convention on Human Rights. Tbe provisions of the European Convention for Lbe Prmec­ tion of Human Righls and FundamenLal Freedoms are of great importanee 10 tbe subjecl matter of Ibis report. Mention may be made in particular of Article 5, on tbe right to liberty and security of tbe person; 10 Artic1e 6, on the right, in relation to any detennination of a person's

great importanee 10 tbe subjecl matter of Ibis report. Mention may be made in particular of Article 5, on tbe right to liberty and security of tbe person; 10 Artic1e 6, on the right, in relation to any detennination of a person's civil rights and obligalions, to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impar­ tial tribunal eSLablished by law; and Article 8, on tbe right to respecl [or private and family life, home and cor9 AlRES146I1l9. 17 December 1991. 10 Tbc Article goes on to provide thal no-one shall be deprived of his Iiberly save in tbe followiog cases and in accordance wirh a procedure prescribed by law. One of lhe 'following cases' is 'tbe lawful detention ... of persons of unsound mind, alcoholics or drug addicts or vagnmts'. Clive Report 11respondenee." Article I of lbe FiTSt Protocol to lbe Con­ vention, on tbe right of every natura! or legal person to tbe peaceful enjoyment of his or her possessions, is a1so of potential importanee in tbe present context. 12 2.10 There is a substantial case law on tbe above Articles. IJ Many of the cases are concemed with the compulsory confinement of psychiatric patienls.'" Only a few have been concemed wiLh guardianship or repre­ sentation as such.]S 2.] I Resolutions and recommendations.16 Tbe Com­ mi nee of Ministers of me Council of Europe has made a number of recommendations aod resolutions relating to lbe protection and welfare of people sulfering from dis­ abiliûes aod vulnerabilities of various types. Some of [hese instruments relaLe Lo social aod medical matters with which this report is not concerned. One of Lbe most far reaching aod comprehensive is tbe recommendation on A coherent policy for people with disabilities.17 This

abiliûes aod vulnerabilities of various types. Some of [hese instruments relaLe Lo social aod medical matters with which this report is not concerned. One of Lbe most far reaching aod comprehensive is tbe recommendation on A coherent policy for people with disabilities.17 This includes lbe following principle relating to legal protec­ tion. 'The exercise of basic legal rights of people with dis­ abilities should be protected, including being free from discrimination. In cases where people with disabilities are panially or totally unable la adminis[er tbeir own property, lbey should be provided with legal protection such as in the fann of a guardian or legal assistant. This protection should not be more restrictive than necessary and should be based as fully as possible on lbe individu­ ars wishes.' 18 2.12 The Parliamentary Assembly of lbe Council of Europe has also made several recommendations relating lo lbe protection and welfare of people wilb disabilities or vu1nerabilities. One which is highly relevant to the subject matter of lhis report is Recommendation 818 of 1977 on The situation of the mentally ill. This recom­ mends that the Committee of Minis[ers invite the Gov­ emments of tbe Memher States, among other things, 'iv. 10 modify lbe civil capacity rules applied to the mentally ill, in order to ensure that any hospitalisation does not necessarily result in an automatic detennination of legal incapacity, lbus creating problems conceming property and olber economic rights; v. to implement the right to vote for mose men tal palients able to understand lbe meaning of lbe vote by taking lhe necessary steps with a view to facilitating the exercise of it .. .' 2.13 The draft Bioethics Convention. This drafl Conli AmcJe 8{Z) provides mal 'lhere shall be no interference by a public aulJlority wilh Ihe e1ercise of lhis righl excepl such as in accordance wim the Ja", and is

2.13 The draft Bioethics Convention. This drafl Conli AmcJe 8{Z) provides mal 'lhere shall be no interference by a public aulJlority wilh Ihe e1ercise of lhis righl excepl such as in accordance wim the Ja", and is necessary in a democralie society in the interests of naûonal security, pubJic saf