Re: Anita

In the matter of *Re: Anita*, heard before McClelland J, the proceedings concerned the capacity of a child, identified as Anita, to consent to medical treatment for Gender Dysphoria. The central dispute revolved around whether Anita, a child born male, possessed the legal competence to make decisions regarding Stage 2 treatment for this condition.

The court was required to determine the legal capacity of Anita to consent to the proposed medical treatment. This involved assessing whether Anita, as a minor, had attained sufficient understanding and intelligence to enable her to give or withhold a real consent to the administration of Stage 2 treatment for Gender Dysphoria.

McClelland J applied the principles established in cases concerning the capacity of minors to consent to medical treatment, particularly where the treatment is of a significant nature. The court considered Anita's maturity, understanding of the treatment, its implications, and the consequences of not undergoing the treatment. Having assessed these factors, the court found that Anita was competent at law to consent to the administration of Stage 2 treatment for Gender Dysphoria and therefore authorised her to make her own decisions in relation to that treatment. The court also made extensive orders for the suppression of identifying information to protect Anita's privacy.