ABSTRACT
A fundamental human right is the right to make a choice and to act on that choice. Actions not prohibited by criminal law may be viewed as private rights, and civil law is ‘concerned with civil or private rights and remedies … .’ (Black, Nolan, and Connolly 1991). While generally a person is afforded the right to make a choice and act on that choice, at times the civil courts are involved in restricting such rights based on a person’s competence. Forensic psychiatrists may assist the courts in making such determinations.
