LPT – What does the Compulsory Psychiatric Care Act entail and what rights do you have?

Short answer: LPT stands for the Act (1991:1128) on Psychiatric Compulsory Care. It allows for psychiatric care without consent when three conditions are met: a serious mental disorder, an indispensable need for care that cannot be met in any other way, and the patient opposes the care or cannot give informed consent. A care certificate is required before admission. Continued care after four weeks is reviewed by the Administrative Court.

What is LPT and when can the law be used?

The starting point is voluntary psychiatric care. LPT complements the Health and Medical Services Act and the Patient Act when care must be combined with deprivation of liberty or other coercion. The purpose is to enable the patient to voluntarily participate in necessary care.

According to Section 3 of LPT, compulsory care may only be given if the patient suffers from a serious mental disorder and due to the mental condition and other personal circumstances either

1. has an indispensable need for psychiatric care that cannot be met in any other way than through admission for qualified round-the-clock care (inpatient psychiatric compulsory care), or
2. needs to observe special conditions to be given necessary psychiatric care (outpatient psychiatric compulsory care).

In addition, it is required that the patient opposes the care, or that due to the mental condition there is a well-founded reason to believe that the care cannot be given with consent. A developmental disorder alone is not sufficient. Read the separate review of the LPT criteria.

LPT is not the same as a concern report

A concern report for adults goes to social services. It is a signal, not a decision on compulsory care. Social services can offer voluntary support. LPT is a healthcare process: doctors, care certificates, psychiatric clinics, and in the next step, the administrative court.

LVU applies to children, not adults. LVM applies to serious substance abuse and is decided by the administrative court after the social welfare board. Forensic psychiatric care (LRV) is another track following criminal cases. Always request the legal basis in writing if someone talks about “detention.”

LPT process step by step

1. Care certificate: a licensed physician conducts a special examination and writes a certificate stating that there are probable reasons for involuntary inpatient care.
2. Detention: after the care certificate, the patient may be detained at the healthcare facility until the admission decision is made.
3. Admission: the chief physician (or the person assigned) decides on admission. The decision must be made quickly, in practice within 24 hours of arrival.
4. First four weeks: involuntary inpatient care can continue without a court decision for this period. If the chief physician wishes to continue, the administrative court must give consent.
5. Administrative court: the documents are reviewed. An oral hearing is normally held. The patient has the right to public counsel.
6. Open involuntary care: may be applicable after inpatient care, with specific conditions instead of round-the-clock admission.

According to Section 47 of LPT, the police can assist with examination, transport, or return. This is often referred to as LPT 47 or police assistance.

What rights does the patient have?

• Information: you should be informed why involuntary care is being considered and what is happening now, in a way you can understand.
• Public counsel: is normally appointed in cases concerning LPT. The state pays.
• Support person: a support person can be appointed. This is not the same as legal counsel.
• Records and decisions: request the care certificate, admission decision, medical records, and care plan in writing.
• Appeal: admission decisions and several other decisions can be appealed. Continued care is reviewed by the administrative court.
• Proportionality: coercive measures may only be used if they are reasonably proportionate to the purpose, and only if less intrusive measures are insufficient.

Relatives do not automatically receive the entire medical record. Confidentiality applies. You can still ask the healthcare provider to confirm that you are a relative and how information may be disclosed.

How long does LPT apply?

The first period is a maximum of four weeks from the admission decision. Thereafter, the administrative court's consent is required. Care should cease as soon as the conditions are no longer met. The chief physician can terminate LPT earlier. Open involuntary care is not “LPT forever at home” – the conditions and need must be assessed concretely.

What should you request and document?

• the care certificate and examination notes,
• the admission decision and who made it,
• medical records, care plan, and decisions on coercive measures,
• any police report in case of assistance,
• your own timeline: time, place, who said what.

Separate requests for documents from your substantive response. See request public documents, patient records and appeal government decisions.

Frequently asked questions about LPT

What does LPT mean?

The Act on Psychiatric Compulsory Care. It regulates when psychiatric care can be provided without consent, with a care certificate, admission, and subsequently review by the administrative court.

Can social services decide on LPT?

No. LPT is a healthcare process. Social services can make a report of concern or refer to healthcare, but medical certificates and admissions are decided by doctors.

Is LPT a punishment?

No. It is care and protection legislation. The purpose is for the patient to be able to voluntarily participate in necessary care.

Do I get a lawyer?

In cases concerning LPT, a public counsel is normally appointed, paid by the state. This is separate from the support person in the department.

Sources and further reading

• Act (1991:1128) on Compulsory Psychiatric Care
• 1177: the Act on Compulsory Psychiatric Care
• Sveriges Domstolar: compulsory care

Last fact-checked against current legislation: August 17, 2026. The guide is general information and does not replace advice from public counsel in the individual case.