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The Mental Health Tribunal:

• provides an important safeguard in protecting the rights of involuntary patients under the Mental Health Act 2000
• considers the risk to the community when reviewing applications for limited community treatment
• is required to observe the principles of natural justice and to conduct hearings in an informal manner
• is not bound by the rules of evidence and may inform itself on a matter in a way it considers appropriate.
  

Hearings are closed to the public unless the Tribunal directs otherwise

The Tribunal is normally constituted by at least three members:

• a lawyer
• a psychiatrist (or another doctor if a psychiatrist is unavailable)
• another person with relevant experience or qualifications.
  

The Mental Health Review Tribunal:

• reviews the mental condition of people under a forensic order every six months from the date the forensic order is made 
• reviews fitness for trial of persons found unfit for trial by the Mental Health Court or by a jury
• reviews limited community treatment applications 
• decides the application for approval for particular patients to move out of Queensland.

If the Mental Health Review Tribunal finds the person to be fit for trial, the person is returned to court in the criminal justice system within seven days.  Upon return to court, the forensic order ceases for that specific offence.

The Mental Health Review Tribunal can only revoke a forensic order if it is satisfied that the person does not represent an unacceptable risk to their own or other's safety.  This is determined following consideration of the person's history of mental illness, their current mental state and the nature of the offence.

For more information on the Mental Health Review Tribunal go to www.mhrt.qld.gov.au