A High Court judgment states that a teenager who has declined cancer treatment has capacity to make decisions about her medical care. The case is described as “very difficult and sensitive” and was set out in a judgment published this week by High Court president Judge David Barniville. According to reporting, the matter comes after concerns were raised about the welfare of the girl, who is diagnosed with stage 4 vaginal cancer. In May, Tusla (the Child and Family Agency) brought the case to court. The judgment addresses the legal question of whether the teenager has the ability to understand, retain and weigh relevant information and to communicate a choice regarding treatment. The court’s ruling concludes that she does have decision-making capacity for her medical care, despite the seriousness of her condition and the fact that she has declined treatment. The reports indicate that the case involves close judicial consideration of the circumstances and the child’s capacity, rather than an order overriding the teen’s medical choice.