Although not strictly defined, should a "child achieve sufficient understanding and intelligence to understand fully what is proposed" (Gillick v West Norfolk, 1985), they may be judged as Gillick competent. Additionaly, as the healthcare practitioner, should I be satisfied that the pateint understands all aspects of the advice, the pateint's physical or mental health may suffer without treatment, it is in the pateint's best interestes to provide the treatment, and that I have made every reasonable effort to convince the pt to inform their parents or allow me to inform their parents - then i would be justified in judging the child as Gillick competent and proceeding without parental knowledge or consent (R (on the application of Axon) v Secretary of State for Health, 2006).