Author: John R. Morss

Source: Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, Volume 11, Number 2, December 2004 , pp. 319-322(4)

Publisher: Australian Academic Press

Abstract:

This article focuses on children's capacity to exercise legal rights. It is argued that, undisturbed by the High Court's subsequent decision, the Family Court in B & B & Minister for Immigration and Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2003] Fam CA has found that a child's capacity is qualified only by contingent factors. This represents a significant development of the prevailing Gillick approach for the determination of the competence of children and young people. Where the Gillick approach requires a positive inquiry as to whether the actual maturity level of an individual child or young person is adequate relative to the question at issue, the new approach focuses on barriers to justice encountered by the child. At least in relation to some matters, capacity is presupposed.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1375/1321871042707232

Affiliations: 1: Deakin University, Australia

Publication date: 2004-12-01

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