Re X - [1991] 2 NZLR 365

Infants and children — Guardianship — Parens patriae — Parents of intellectually handicapped child sought consent for hysterectomy operation on child to prevent menstruation — Whether Court had jurisdiction to make order — Whether order should be made for benefit of child — Observations as to whether parents were entitled to consent to such an operation — Guidelines for future similar cases discussed — Guardianship Act 1968, s 25 - Crimes Act 1961, s 61A - Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977, ss 7 and 8.

Practice and procedure — Commencement of proceedings — Guardianship Act 1968 - Whether application for consent to operation on intellectually handicapped child may be made by originating application, initially ex parte — High Court Rules, R 448.