This second edition has been revised and updated to reflect current changes in legislation on consent in the medical and healthcare setting. This book explores the law relating to consent, covering both the general principles where the patient is a mentally competent adult, and also the specialist areas of mental incapacity, children and parents. The text is written for all health professionals who care for the patient, and for patient service managers, patient groups, relatives, lecturers and others who are interested in understanding the law relating to consent.