A Victory for Gillick Competence

The Supreme Court has refused Quincy  Bell's application for permission to appeal in the matter of Bell v Tavistock – a challenge to Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust's Gender Identity Development Service - "GIDS" - and its practice of referring patients under the age of 18 for prescription of puberty-blocking treatment.

Bell's legal team sought to argue that the Court of Appeal in Tavistock v Bell had misinterpreted and/or misapplied the landmark House of Lords case, Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority [1986] AC 112. The Supreme Court refused the application on the basis it raised no arguable point of law.

Fenella Morris QC and Nicola Kohn instructed by Alistair Robertson at DAC Beachcroft acted for the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.

Click here to read the judgment from the Court of Appeal.