Mental Capacity, Choice and the Law

This course considers issues around capacity throughout the life course.  This includes both establishing the tests for capacity; the weight attached to autonomous decisions; and how decisions are made for those who lack capacity.  The course will seek to explore the differences in the use of these tests for children, adults and older people.  It will examine whether there are theoretical justifications for using different tests at different stages of life.  The course will include critical perspectives on issues around capacity, including challenges using the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability and radical children’s rights.

Assessment is by way of a submission.