Gillick competence is a term originating in England and is used in medical law to decide whether a child (16 years or younger) is able to consent to his or her own medical treatment, without the need for parental permission or knowledge.The standard is based on a decision of the House of Lords in the case Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority [1985] (1985) 3 All ER 402 (HL). The case is binding in England and Wales, and has been approved in Australia, Canada and New Zealand.