Introduction A person’s consent is generally required in Australia before medical treatment can be provided. People are not required to provide that consent, and there are various reasons why they may withhold their consent. The issue of consent is, however, complicated when the patient lacks the requisite capacity to provide...

This paper is not an analysis of the psychological literature, but is written from the perspective of a solicitor who acts for parents who display alienating behaviour to their former partners and parents whose relationship with their children appear to have been damaged or may be in the process of being damaged by the...

Recently, the Family Court of Western Australia delivered judgment in the "Baby Gammy" case. Although colloquially called the "Baby Gammy" case, the Court was asked to determine the parenting arrangements which were in the best interests of Pipah (Baby Gammy's twin sister).The lengthy judgment of almost 800 paragraphs and 190...

Understanding inconsistency in the law between states in Australia presents problems for practitioners and their clients. Navigating the many legal barriers facing those desperate for a child, who battle bureaucracies and the legal systems of Australia and other nations, is a major challenge. There is also a significant amount...