The courts repeatedly proclaim the value that the law gives to the individual's right to self-determination. For example, in S v. McC; W v. W, Lord Reid stated:

Similarly, in Nancy B v. Hotel-Dieu de Quebec, Dufour J quoted with approval the words of Professor Beaudoin (a justice of the Quebec Court of Appeal) who stated:

This right exists regardless of the consequences for the individual. In principle the law protects the individual's right to self-determination even when the likely consequence is the person's death. In Re T, Lord Donaldson even went so far as to claim that, at least for competent adults, making decisions about their medical treatment the right is absolute.

For the law to protect personal autonomy, it must prohibit an invasion of that right and provide for sanctions when a breach does occur. This protection is achieved by allowing individuals a personal sphere of control mediated by consent.