witness
A witness is a person who knows things that are important to your case and gives evidence about what they know. They can do this by testifying at your hearing. They can also give written letters or affidavits.
testimony
When you testify, you speak and answer questions at a hearing. The information that you share at the hearing is called testimony and is part of the evidence.
testify
When you testify, you give evidence by speaking at a hearing. You answer questions that the Member asks you. You might also have to answer questions from lawyer or other licensed representative for one of the parties. Before you testify, you must make an oath or give a solemn affirmation. This means you promise to tell the truth at the...
guardian of the person
A guardian of the person is someone who a court appoints to make personal decisions for you if you’re not mentally capable of making them. This includes decisions about where you live, what you eat, getting dressed, washing and having a bath, and staying safe. It also includes decisions about medical treatment and health care.
Their role is...
substitute decision-maker
When a person is not mentally capable of making decisions, someone must make decisions for them. This person is called a substitute decision-maker (SDM). An SDM can make decisions about your personal care, health care, and medical treatments.
If you have a Power of Attorney for Personal Care, your attorney is your SDM. If you have a...
health-care provider
A health-care provider is someone who takes care of or treats your physical or mental health. This could be a doctor, nurse, therapist, or counsellor. A health-care provider must have a professional license.
Some health-care providers can decide if a person is mentally capable of making decisions.
In a psychiatric facility, only...
informed consent
Someone who’s mentally capable gives informed consent when they agree to medical treatment after getting information about:
- the type of treatment
- how the treatment could help them
- risks and side effects of the treatment
- any other options for treatment
mentally capable
To be mentally capable to make decisions about health care and medical treatment, a person must understand the information that's needed to make the decision. This includes:
- how the treatment may help them,
- the risks and side effects of the treatment, and
- what’s likely to happen if they do not get it.
family status
Family status refers to a relationship that's like that between a parent and a child. It can include similar relationships where you take care of and are responsible for someone and are committed to doing that.
Here are some examples:
- a foster parent caring for a foster child
- a brother caring for a sister with a disability
...
probate
Probate is the process of applying to the court after a person dies, so that the court can confirm:
- that their will is valid, if they made one
- the person who is named as estate trustee can act
If the person did not name an estate trustee, or died without a will, someone may have to apply for probate and ask the court to...