Also under the administration of the Appellate Division is the Mental Hygiene Legal Service (MHLS), which provides legal representation to mentally ill and developmentally disabled individuals who are voluntarily or involuntarily under care.

Created in 1964, MHLS fulfills its legal mandate by providing counsel for its clients in judicial or administrative proceedings concerning admission, retention, transfer and treatment. It also provides advice and representation regarding standards of care, patient visiting rights and other matters affecting the patient’s civil liberties. MHLS reviews more than 25,000 admissions to hospitals and special schools every year, and is involved in over 26,000 client contacts annually.