When people of any age, despite all possible support being provided, are unable to make a necessary decision, then it is important to have a legal framework which promotes and protects their rights. There is ongoing debate about how this can be achieved, in a non-discriminatory way, for adults but it is also an important consideration for children and young people.

In Northern Ireland, the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, when fully implemented will provide a non-discriminatory framework for those aged 16 and over. Arguably this addresses discrimination based on disability but continues to discriminate based on age. This article explores some of the possible ways the rights of those aged under 16 could be further promoted and protected.

These approaches may include: retaining the current combination of statute law but developing new guidance to inform practice for those aged under 16; codifying Gillick to clarify under what circumstances those aged under 16 can accept, and possibly also refuse, interventions; amend the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 to provide a more comprehensive framework for health and welfare decision making; amend and extend the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 to apply to those aged under 16; or develop a new law specifically focused on the emerging capacity of those aged under 16.

There are complex issues involved including how to consider emerging or developmental decision-making ability, and the role of those with parental responsibility, but the complexities involved should not prevent these issues being addressed.

当任何年龄段的人，尽管提供了所有可能的支持，都无法做出必要的决定时，那么重要的是要有一个促进和保护他们权利的法律框架。关于如何以非歧视的方式为成年人实现这一目标的争论仍在继续，但这也是儿童和年轻人的一个重要考虑因素。

在北爱尔兰，2016 年《心智能力法》（北爱尔兰）在全面实施后将为 16 岁及以上的人提供非歧视性框架。可以说，这解决了基于残疾的歧视，但继续基于年龄的歧视。本文探讨了进一步促进和保护 16 岁以下人群权利的一些可能方式。

这些方法可能包括：保留现行的成文法组合，但制定新的指导方针，为 16 岁以下的人提供实践信息；将 Gillick 编纂成法典，以阐明 16 岁以下的人在什么情况下可以接受并可能拒绝干预；修订 1995 年儿童（北爱尔兰）法令，为健康和福利决策提供更全面的框架；修订和扩展 2016 年《心智能力法》（北爱尔兰），以适用于 16 岁以下的人；或制定一项专门针对 16 岁以下人群新兴能力的新法律。

涉及的问题很复杂，包括如何考虑新兴或发展中的决策能力，以及那些有父母责任的人的角色，但所涉及的复杂性不应阻止这些问题得到解决。