Best interests, benefit, will and preference: The influence of international human rights and external actors on decision-making frameworks in the United Kingdom and Ireland. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Finnerty, Aoife M.; Laing, Judy
• Is Part Of: International journal of law and psychiatry. Volume 85(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Substitute decision-making -- Legislative process -- Best interests -- CRPD -- Advocacy groups -- Will and preferences; Forensic psychiatry -- Periodicals; Insanity (Law) -- Periodicals; Criminal psychology -- Periodicals; Forensic Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatrie médico-légale -- Périodiques; Aliénation mentale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Electronic journals; 614.15
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2022.101841
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-2527

Abstract

Abstract: This article examines the development of the law relating to decision-making on behalf of adults that lack capacity in Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Using two points of tension evident in the recent Northern Irish legislative consultation process, namely the suitability of the 'best interests' standard and international debate regarding domestic compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (United Nations, 2006 ) this contribution exposes the impact of international human rights and influence of external actors, principally advocacy groups and their individual members, on the resulting legislation. Given the recency of the Irish and Northern Irish legislation and the current law reform review in Scotland, the article concludes by highlighting points of tension that may emerge between domestic standards for decision-making and the CRPD.