MAW v Western Sydney Area Health Service [2000] NSWSC 358

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: MAW v Western Sydney Area Health Service [2000] NSWSC 358 Hearing dates: 24 and 25 April, 2000 Decision date: 03 May 2000 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: O'Keefe J Decision: Summons dismissed; By consent, no order as to costs Catchwords: Artificial insemination - Removal of human semen - Transplantation of human tissue - Incapable person - Brain damage - Absence of consent - Parens patriae jurisdiction - Nature and limits - Court consents for incapable persons - Discretion Legislation Cited: Supreme Court Act, 1970 Ss.22 and 23 4 Geo IV c 96 Third Charter of Justice of New South Wales, 1823 Guardianship Act, 1987 Ss.4, 8, 35, 45 Part 5 Human Tissue Act, 1983 S4, 21B, 21C Children (Care and Protection) Act, 1987 S.20D Crimes Act, 1900 S.61, 54 Cases Cited: Secretary, Department of Health and Community Services v J W G and S M B (Marion's Case) (1991-92) 175 CLR 218 Kruger v The Commonwealth (1996-97) 190 CLR 1 Re B (A Minor) (Wardship: Sterilisation) 1988 AC 199 Re F (Mental Patient: Sterilisation)(1990) 2 AC 1 Re O'Hara (1970) AC 668 Re Eve (1987) 31 DLR (4th) 1 Re X (1991) 2 NZLR 365 Buck v Bell (1927) 274 US 200 Stump v Sparkman (1978) 435 US 349 Regina v Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; ex parte Blood (1997)2 WLR 806; 35 BMLR 1 AB v Attorney-General for Victoria, 21 July 1998 (unreported) Gillard J Category: Principal judgment Parties: MAW v Western Sydney Area Health Service Representation: COUNSEL : I F Byrne W Cahill (solicitor)