In re W (A Minor) (Medical Treatment: Court’s Jurisdiction)

Subject Matter

CHILDREN — Court's inherent jurisdiction — Medical treatment — Transfer of 16-year-old girl to specialist unit for treatment for anorexia nervosa — Girl refusing consent to proposed treatment — Whether absolutely entitled to refuse treatment — Whether court having jurisdiction to override refusal — Family Law Reform Act 1969, s 8

[1993] Fam 64; [1992] 3 WLR 758; [1992] 4 All ER 627, CA

Legislation Considered

Statutes

Family Law Reform Act 1969 (c 46), s. 8

Cases Considered

Cases considered in: In re W (A Minor) (Medical Treatment: Court’s Jurisdiction) [1993] Fam 64; [1992] 3 WLR 758; [1992] 4 All ER 627, CA

Cases Cited

Cases cited in: In re W (A Minor) (Medical Treatment: Court’s Jurisdiction) [1993] Fam 64; [1992] 3 WLR 758; [1992] 4 All ER 627, CA

A v Liverpool City Council [1982] AC 363; [1981] 2 WLR 948; [1981] 2 All ER 385; 79 LGR 621, HL(E)

Attorney-General v De Keyser’s Royal Hotel Ltd [1920] AC 508; 36 TLR 600, HL(E)

B (BR) v B (J) [1968] P 466; [1968] 3 WLR 566; [1968] 2 All ER 1023, CA

B. (Wardship: Abortion), In re [1991] 2 F.L.R. 426

C. (A Minor) (Wardship: Jurisdiction), In re [1991] 2 F.L.R. 168, C.A.

C. v. Wren (1986) 35 D.L.R. (4th) 419

Department of Health and Community Services (N.T.), Secretary v. J. W. B. and S. M. B. (1992) 66 A.L.J.R. 300

E. (A Minor), In re (unreported), 21 September 1990, Ward J.

E. S. (A Minor) In re (unreported), 8 March 1990, Ward J.

G v G (Minors: Custody Appeal) [1985] 1 WLR 647; [1985] 2 All ER 225, HL(E)

G.-U. (A Minor) (Wardship), In re [1984] F.L.R. 811

Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority [1986] AC 112; [1985] 2 WLR 413; [1985] 1 All ER 533; [1985] FLR 736, CA

In re B (A Minor) (Wardship: Medical Treatment) [1981] 1 WLR 1421; [1990] 3 All ER 927; 80 LGR 107, CA

In re B (A Minor) (Wardship: Sterilisation) [1987] AC 199; [1988] AC 199; [1987] 2 WLR 1213; [1987] 2 All ER 206; 86 LGR 417, HL(E)

In re C (A Minor) (Wardship: Medical Treatment) (No 2) [1990] Fam 39; [1989] 3 WLR 252; [1989] 2 All ER 791, CA

In re D (A Minor) (Wardship: Sterilisation) [1976] Fam 185; [1976] 2 WLR 279; [1976] 1 All ER 326, Fam D

In re F (Mental Patient: Sterilisation) [1990] 2 AC 1; [1989] 2 WLR 1025; [1989] 2 All ER 545; [1989] 2 FLR 376, HL(E)

In re J (A Minor) (Child in Care: Medical Treatment) [1993] Fam 15; [1992] 3 WLR 507; [1992] 4 All ER 614, CA

In re J (A Minor) (Wardship: Medical Treatment) [1991] Fam 33; [1991] 2 WLR 140; [1990] 3 All ER 930; [1991] 1 FLR 366; [1991] FCR 370; The Times, 23 October 1990; The Independent, 23 October 1990, CA

In re L (An Infant) [1968] P 119; [1967] 3 WLR 1645; [1968] 1 All ER 20, CA

In re M and N (Minors) (Wardship: Publication of Information) [1990] Fam 211; [1989] 3 WLR 1136; [1990] 1 All ER 205, CA

In re N (Infants) [1967] Ch 512; [1967] 2 WLR 691; [1967] 1 All ER 161, Ch D

In re P (A Minor) (1981) 80 LGR 301

In re R (A Minor) (Wardship: Consent to Treatment) [1992] Fam 11; [1991] 3 WLR 592; [1991] 4 All ER 177; [1992] 1 FLR 190; [1992] 2 FCR 229; The Times, 31 July 1991; The Independent, 25 July 1991, CA

In re S (Infants) [1967] 1 WLR 396; [1967] 1 All ER 202; 65 LGR 158, Ch D

In re X (A Minor) (Wardship: Jurisdiction) [1975] Fam 47; [1975] 2 WLR 335; [1975] 1 All ER 697, CA

J v C [1970] AC 668; [1969] 2 WLR 540; [1969] 1 All ER 788, HL(E)

Natanson v. Kline (1960) 350 P.2d 1093

Prince v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1944) 321 U.S. 158

Roe (Guardianship of), In re (1981) 421 N.E.2d 40

S. W. (A Minor) (Wardship: Jurisdiction), In re [1986] 1 F.L.R. 24

Sidaway v Board of Governors of the Bethlem Royal Hospital and the Maudsley Hospital [1985] AC 871; [1985] 2 WLR 480; [1985] 1 All ER 643, HL(E)

Spence, In re (1847) 2 Ph. 247

“Jane,” In re (1988) 85 A.L.R. 409

Subsequent Consideration

Cases subsequently considering: In re W (A Minor) (Medical Treatment: Court’s Jurisdiction) [1993] Fam 64; [1992] 3 WLR 758; [1992] 4 All ER 627, CA

Cases citing

Cases citing: In re W (A Minor) (Medical Treatment: Court’s Jurisdiction) [1993] Fam 64; [1992] 3 WLR 758; [1992] 4 All ER 627, CA

A City Council v LS [2019] EWHC 1384 (Fam); [2020] Fam 28; [2019] 3 WLR 475; [2020] 1 All ER 652; [2019] 2 FLR 1197; [2019] WLR (D) 316, Fam D

A NHS Foundation Hospital Trust v P [2014] EWHC 1650 (Fam); [2014] CN 969, Fam D

AB v CD [2021] EWHC 741 (Fam), Fam D

Airedale NHS Trust v Bland [1993] AC 789; [1993] 2 WLR 316, Fam D

An NHS Trust v A [2014] EWHC 1135 (Fam), Fam D

B v Croydon Health Authority [1995] Fam 133; [1995] 2 WLR 294; [1995] 1 All ER 683; [1995] 1 FLR 470, CA

Birmingham City Council v D [2017] EWCA Civ 1695; [2018] PTSR 1791, CA

Birmingham City Council v D [2016] EWCOP 8; [2016] PTSR 1129; [2016] WLR (D) 143, Ct of Protection

Birmingham City Council v D [2019] UKSC 42; [2019] 1 WLR 5403; [2019] PTSR 1816; [2020] 2 All ER 399; [2020] 1 FLR 549; Case details, SC(E)

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Trust v GW [2021] EWHC 2105 (Fam), Fam D

E v Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust [2021] EWCA Civ 1888; [2022] Fam 130; [2022] 2 WLR 395; [2022] 1 FLR 1255; [2021] WLR(D) 627, CA

EF v LM [2024] EWHC 922 (Fam), Fam D

Evans v Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (No 2) [2018] EWCA Civ 805; [2018] 2 FLR 1269, CA

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v A (by her litigation friend the Official Solicitor) [2014] EWHC 132 (Fam); [2014] 2 FLR 1209; [2014] CN 108, Fam D

Great Western Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust v AA [2014] EWHC 132 (Fam), Fam D

HB v A Local Authority (Local Government Association intervening) [2017] EWHC 524 (Fam); [2017] 1 WLR 4289; [2018] 1 FLR 538; [2017] WLR (D) 245, Fam D

In The Matter Of P (A Child) [2014] EWHC 1650 (Fam), Fam D

In re A (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation) [2000] EWCA Civ 254; [2001] Fam 147; [2001] 2 WLR 480; [2000] 4 All ER 961; [2001] 1 FLR 1; [2000] 3 FCR 577; 9 BHRC 261; 57 BMLR 1; [2000] HRLR 721; [2001] UKHRR 1; [2000] Lloyd’s Rep Med 425, CA

In re B (A Child) (Reunite International Child Abduction Centre intervening) [2015] EWCA Civ 886; [2016] AC 606; [2016] 2 WLR 487; [2015] WLR (D) 364, CA

In re B (A Child) (Wrongful Removal: Orders against Non-Parties) [2014] EWCA Civ 843; [2015] Fam 209; [2015] 2 WLR 392; [2015] 1 All ER 230; [2014] WLR (D) 283, CA

In re B (Children) [2022] EWCA Civ 982; [2022] 1 WLR 5482; [2023] 2 All ER 1017; [2023] 1 FLR 199; [2022] WLR(D) 310, CA

In re B (Children: Care Proceedings: Jurisdiction: Transfer of Proceedings) [2022] EWHC 1494 (Fam); [2023] 1 FLR 427, Fam D

In re C (Looked After Child) (Covid-19 Vaccination) [2021] EWHC 2993 (Fam); [2022] 2 FLR 194, Fam D

In re G (Children: Religious upbringing) [2012] EWCA Civ 1233; [2013] 1 FLR 677; [2012] 3 FCR 524; [2013] ELR 25; [2012] WLR (D) 265, CA

In re M (A Child) [2020] EWHC 451 (Fam), Fam D

In re O (A Minor) (Blood Tests: Constraint) [2000] Fam 139; [2000] 2 WLR 1284; [2000] 2 All ER 29; [2000] 1 FLR 418, Fam D

In re R (A Minor) (Blood Tests: Constraint) [1998] Fam 66; [1998] 2 WLR 796; [1998] 1 FLR 745, Fam D

In re Roddy (A Child) (Identification: Restriction on Publication) [2003] EWHC 2927 (Fam); [2004] 2 FLR 949, Fam D

In re S (A Child) (Child Parent: Adoption Consent) [2017] EWHC 2729 (Fam); [2019] Fam 177; [2018] 2 WLR 1029; [2018] 2 FLR 111; [2018] 1 FCR 74; [2017] WLR (D) 726, Fam D

In re S (A Minor) (Independent Representation) [1993] Fam 263; [1993] 2 WLR 801; [1993] 3 All ER 36; [1993] 2 FLR 437; [1993] 2 FCR 1, CA

In re T (A Child) [2021] UKSC 35; [2022] AC 723; [2021] 3 WLR 643; [2021] 2 FLR 1041; [2021] WLR(D) 428; The Times, 16 August 2021; Press summary, SC(E)

In re T (A Minor) (Child: Representation) [1994] Fam 49; [1993] 3 WLR 602; [1994] 4 All ER 518; [1993] 2 FLR 278, CA

In re T (A Minor) (Wardship: Medical Treatment) [1997] 1 WLR 242; [1997] 1 All ER 906; 96 LGR 116; [1997] 1 FLR 502, CA

In re T (Adult: Refusal of Treatment) [1993] Fam 95; [1992] 3 WLR 782; [1992] 4 All ER 649, CA

In re X (A Child) [2020] EWHC 3003 (Fam); [2021] 2 FLR 88, Fam D

In re X (A Child) (Capacity to Consent to Termination) [2014] EWHC 1871 (Fam); 139 BMLR 143; [2014] CN 1051, Fam D

In re Z (A Minor) (Identification: Restrictions on Publication) [1997] Fam 1; [1996] 2 WLR 88; [1995] 4 All ER 961; [1996] 1 FLR 191; [1996] 2 FCR 164, CA

R (Bell) v Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust [2021] EWCA Civ 1363; [2022] PTSR 544; [2022] 1 All ER 416; [2022] 1 FLR 69; [2021] WLR(D) 490, CA

R (Bell) v Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust [2020] EWHC 3274 (Admin); [2021] PTSR 593; [2022] 1 All ER 416; [2022] 1 FLR 30; [2020] WLR(D) 655, DC

Re E (Medical treatment: Anorexia) (Rev 1) [2012] EWCOP 1639, Ct of Protection

S v S (No 3) (Foreign Adoption Order: Recognition) [2016] EWHC 2470 (Fam); [2017] Fam 167; [2017] 2 WLR 887; [2017] 2 FLR 1456; [2016] WLR (D) 553, Fam D

Spencer v Spencer [2018] EWCA Civ 100; [2019] Fam 66; [2018] 3 WLR 972; [2018] 2 FLR 547; [2018] WLR (D) 210, CA

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust v J [2024] EWHC 1034 (Fam), Fam D

Venables v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2001] EWHC 32 (QB); [2001] Fam 430; [2001] 2 WLR 1038; [2001] 1 All ER 908; [2001] 1 FLR 791; [2002] 1 FCR 333; 9 BHRC 587; [2001] UKHRR 628; [2001] EWHC QB 32, Fam D

Y NHS foundation Trust v AN [2024] EWHC 805 (Fam), Fam D