Capacity and Consent

Capacity is a person’s ability to understand and make informed decisions about their own affairs, such as health or legal matters. Consent is the voluntary agreement to a specific action or decision, based on that understanding. If someone has capacity, they can give valid consent; if they lack capacity—due to reasons like illness or disability—they may need support or a legal guardian to make decisions for them. Ensuring both capacity and proper consent is essential for respecting individuals’ autonomy and rights in any decision-making process.