c. 5) was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that formed the basis of mental health law in England and Wales from 1890 until 1959.

c. 41) was passed, which, amongst other things, provided that from 1 May 1890, private patients would be received only under order of county court judge, magistrate, or justice of the peace.

On 17 February 1890, the First Lord of the Treasury, W. H. Smith MP confirmed the government's intention to introduce a simple bill to consolidate the mental health law of England and Wales and act as a code of guidance of those concerned in the administration of the law.

[4] The bill had its second reading in the House of Commons on 20 March 1890 and was committed to a select committee,[4] following objections from Charles Kearns Deane Tanner MP.

[4] The bill was re-committed to a committee of the whole house, which met and reported on 27 March 1890, without amendments.