Gillick Competence

Gillick Competence is a legal concept in the UK that assesses a child's ability to make informed decisions about their own healthcare. Introduced from a court case involving a mother’s challenge to her daughter's access to contraception, it recognizes that some minors, typically those aged 16 and under, can understand the implications of medical treatments. If a child demonstrates sufficient maturity and understanding of their situation and its consequences, healthcare professionals can provide treatment without parental consent. This concept balances the rights of minors with the responsibility of medical practitioners to ensure informed consent.