ABSTRACT
Therapists inevitably work within some kind of legal context for their practice, although the exact nature of this will vary according to their work setting, client group and employment status. Broadly, therapists need to have an understanding of how civil law concepts such as contract, negligence and liability relate to their work with clients, in order to minimise the potential risk of hostile legal action against either themselves or, if relevant, their employer. The actual risk of litigation against therapists in the UK is sometimes exaggerated, as the system of peer defence against action for breach of duty of care has limited the numbers of successful reported cases to a handful. Therapists accordingly need to maintain a basic working knowledge of the law as related to their work, in order to best protect their clients’ interests and to promote their own competent and ethical practice. This chapter attempts to set out a brief overview of the law with particular relevance to therapeutic practice.
