Section 18 applications have to operate within tight statutory time-scales that can result in patients having little notice of the hearings.
Hearings are generally informal usually held in chambers.
They are sometimes held in hospitals. Virtually all applications for admission to hospital are successful, few are turned down. Section 18 orders are characterised by low levels of patient attendance and legal representation. Few nearest relatives attend court. Patients may spend relatively little time in hospital after a section 18 order is made, often being released on Leave of Absence fairly soon after admission.