Alex Ruck Keene, KC (Hon)
Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon) is an experienced barrister, writer and educator. His practice is focused on mental capacity, mental health and healthcare law. He also writes extensively, editing and contributing to leading textbooks and (amongst many other publications) the 39 Essex Chambers Mental Capacity Law Report, the ‘bible’ for solicitors (and others) working in the area. He is the creator of the website
Mental Capacity Law and Policy, providing resources and expert commentary on some of the most difficult mental capacity issues.
Alex complements his practice with a deep interest in research and education. He is a Visiting Professor at the Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London, a Visiting Professor at the Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory, University of West London, a Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London and a Research Affiliate at the Essex Autonomy Project, University of Essex. In addition to his academic positions, he lectures widely on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Mental Health Act 1983 and trains judges, social workers, doctors, nurses and other professionals who have cause to work with them.
Alex now spends much of his time on policy matters. He is currently a consultant on the Law Commission’s Disabled Children Social Care project, having previously been a consultant to their Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty Project. Throughout 2018, he was the legal adviser to the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act 1983. He was a specialist adviser to the Joint Committee on Human Rights for their 2020 inquiry into the human rights implications of the Government’s response to COVID-19 and specialist adviser into their 2021-2022 inquiry into human rights in the care setting. He sits on the Court of Protection Rules Committee, and is also a member of the International Family Law Committee, with a specific brief to raise the profile of cross-border capacity issues. He also sits – uniquely – on both the Mental Health and Disability Committee of the Law Society of England and Wales and on the Mental Health and Disability Sub-Committee of the Law Society of Scotland.
In March 2022, Alex was made an honorary KC, reflecting his contributions to mental capacity and mental health law outside the court room.