Re: Sage

The matter of *Re: Sage* concerned an application before Johnston J in an Australian court. The central dispute involved determining whether a child named Sage, born in 2000, possessed the legal capacity to consent to Stage 2 treatment for Gender Dysphoria.

The court was required to ascertain if Sage was competent to provide informed consent to the proposed medical treatment. This involved assessing Sage's understanding of the benefits and risks associated with the treatment, including potential physical side effects and the impact on psychological and social difficulties. The court also needed to consider whether Sage was free from undue pressure or temporary factors that might impair his judgment in making this decision.

Johnston J applied principles of medical consent and adolescent capacity. The court considered evidence from medical practitioners, including Dr. T and Associate Professor G, who both concluded that Sage had a comprehensive understanding of the treatment, its potential consequences, and was able to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. Sage himself expressed a clear desire to proceed with the treatment, acknowledging that it would not resolve all his issues but would improve his well-being. The court found that Sage was able to make an informed decision, demonstrating a level of maturity appropriate for consenting to the treatment.

The court ordered that Sage be declared competent to consent to Stage 2 treatment for Gender Dysphoria. Further orders were made to anonymise the judgment and protect Sage's identity, prohibiting publication of any identifying details and restricting access to the court file without judicial leave. All other existing applications were dismissed, and the case was removed from the list.