Re J (a minor)

(1992) 3 Med LR 317

COURT OF APPEAL

Lord DONALDSON of Lymington MR, Lord Justice BALCOMBE, and Lord Justice NOLAN

Medical treatment — Consent — Minor — Refusal of treatment by 16-year-old girl suffering from anorexia nervosa — Effect of Family Law Reform Act 1969 section 8(1) — Application by local authority for leave (1) to move minor to treatment unit without minor's consent and (2) to give minor medical treatment without her consent — Whether, in light of provisions of Family Law Reform Act 1969 section 8, and fact that minor was by then 16 years old, court had jurisdiction to make orders concerning J's medical treatment — Type of treatment that should be authorized, if court had necessary jurisdiction — Whether judge misdirected himself in holding that he had necessary jurisdiction and in authorizing removal of girl to and her treatment at specialist London unit