In the period of 1970-1972 the number of admissions in general mental hospitals increased considerably, especially those on voluntary base. From 1976 up to 1982 the ratio of voluntary to involuntary admissions remained about 85 percent to 15 percent. In reference to the category of involuntary admissions the number of committals to custody grew with 143 percent whereas the amount of judical admissions decreased with 46 percent. A cohort of 3007 involuntarily hospitalized psychiatric patients was followed from admission in 1978 up to 1982. In this cohort 34 different patterns of changing legal situations were found. The period between the various legal situations appeared to vary. Some discussion points are formulated to the new Mental Health Act BOPZ.