[3] It concerns the welfare of adults (the age of legal capacity in Scotland being 16) who are unable to make decisions for themselves because they have a mental disorder or are not able to communicate.

It enables access to the bank or building society account of the adult with incapacity, in order to pay their costs of living.

An intervention order can be applied for by, or on behalf of, an adult with incapacity and granted by the sheriff court.

An application for a guardianship order may be made by individuals or by a local authority regarding an adult with incapacity who may have long-term needs.

[9][10] Part 7 of the act ("Miscellaneous") makes it an offence for an individual to wilfully neglect an adult with incapacity.