Re A (Conjoined Twins) Case Review

These flashcards cover the medical facts, legal citations, specific judicial tests, and human rights considerations involved in the Re A (Conjoined Twins) case.

2000 EWCA Civ 254

The formal case citation for the conjoined twins (Re A) legal challenge heard in the Court of Appeal.

BI/2000/2969

The specific case number assigned to the legal proceedings of Re A (Conjoined Twins).

Ischiopagus tetrapus

The medical classification of the conjoined twins, fused from the umbilicus to the sacrum with joined spinal cords and four legs forming a diamond shape.

8th August 2000

The birth date of the conjoined twins, Jodie and Mary.

$$6\,kg$$

The combined birth weight of Jodie and Mary at the time of their delivery.

Jodie

The twin with normal brain function, heart, and lungs who has an overwhelming likelihood of a normal life expectancy if separated.

Mary

The twin who is biologically dependent on Jodie due to a severely abnormal brain, deficient heart, and absence of functional lung tissue.

$$80-90\%$$

The estimated probability that both twins would die within 6 months without surgical intervention.

$$6\%$$

The approximate mortality rate for Jodie during elective separation surgery.

Section 1(1) of the Children Act 1989

The legal provision stating that the welfare of the child is the paramount consideration for the court.

Woollin test

A criminal law standard used to determine intent where a perpetrator is considered to have intended a result that was a virtual certainty.

Doctrine of Necessity

A legal justification requiring that an act avoid inevitable evil, is necessary, and involves harm that is not disproportionate to the evil avoided.

Article 2 of the Human Rights Act 1998

The provision protecting the right to life, which the court interpreted as not impeding surgical intervention meant to save Jodie.

Article 3 of the Human Rights Act 1998

The provision concerning inhuman treatment, which was deemed inapplicable to the medical necessity of the surgery.

Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998

The provision protecting personal privacy and physical integrity, used to justify the interference with Mary's body for the sake of Jodie.

Dudley and Stephens

A historical legal case concerning the necessity defense that Brooke LJ contrasted with the circumstances of the conjoined twins.

22nd September 2000

The date on which the Court of Appeal delivered the final judgment allowing the separation surgery to proceed.