Medical jurisprudence in the local context.

Medical jurisprudence in the local context would require the examination of a wide area. This paper focuses on liability producing conduct arising from the providing of medical services, other than liability for criminal negligent conduct. It examines the circumstances in which the physician-patient relationship emerges, in medical jurisprudence as against practice by medical practitioners. Tort law is the dominant legal theory, and reference is made to some intentional and miscellaneous torts. Implied contracts creating the relationship are touched upon, besides the reference to vicarious liability. Insanity and diminished responsibility in the criminal law, particularly the issue of whether the status quo is satisfactory and reliance on medical reports for purposes of treatment under drug laws are examined. Where abortion is performed, the question whether the husband has any right to prevent his wife from having a lawful abortion is discussed in the local context. Some thoughts on the medical (therapy, education and research) Act 1972 are expressed in relation to the living body, the corpse and the parts of the human body. The patient's right to determination and information in the light of the above legislation is also discussed.