In Re J (a Minor)--(Inherent jurisdiction: consent to treatment)

Although section 8 of the Family Law Reform Act of 1969 gives minors who have reached the age of 16 the right to consent to medical, surgical or dental treatment, it confers no absolute right on such minors to refuse treatment. In exercise of its inherent jurisdiction to protect minors, the Court had power to override the refusal of a girl aged 16 to consent to treatment for anorexia nervosa. The Court of Appeal so stated in dismissing an appeal by the girl J against Mr Justice Thorpe's order, authorising her removal to a specialist unit in London for treatment.