In this inaugural collaborative article with UKSLSS, we explore how the law has struggled to balance patient autonomy with medical discretion. From Bolam to Montgomery and beyond, common law jurisdictions have diverged: the UK appears to be retracing its steps towards doctor-centric standards, Australia has entrenched a patient-centered duty of disclosure, and Singapore has opted for a hybrid compromise. This article examines how each jurisdiction has reshaped the legacy of the Bolam-Bolitho test and the policy implications that follow. 

 

Authors: Wong Ching Wern and Asher Ng (AUSLSS); Alyssa Tan and Julius Goh (UKSLSS)