Salford Law School runs a series of masterclasses both physically in the Law School and via Collaborate, an online collaboration programme.

The law governing consent in relation to children is governed partly by statute and partly by the common law. As with adult patients, the starting point appears to be that a child can only be treated with their consent. The problem is that the courts have often found that by virtue of their age and relative immaturity, children can lack the legal capacity to give valid consent.

Since the law requires valid consent before treatment can be given, it is essential that a source of consent can be identified and the requisite consent gained. Who is in such a position if not the child – the parent, the doctors or the courts?

The recent case of Neon Roberts, the seven year suffering from a  brain tumour has raised this complex legal issue into the public arena and highlighted the ethical and moral dilemmas that arise from such situations.

The masterclass will tackle these issues and look at the legal principles of capacity and consent in relation to children.

To book email enquiries-law@salford.ac.uk indicating whether you intend to attend either online or in person.