It might seem impractical to attempt to separate discussion of the ethical and legal issues raised by decisions to limit life-prolonging treatment for vegetative patients, in that the law in these cases is largely concerned with the application of ethical principles to particular situations. Moreover, it is the courts that provide an opportunity for doctors and ethicists to seek the formal approval of the public or society, as represented by the judiciary, for what they see as appropriate decisions to limit treatment. More strictly legal issues are the development of procedures for making such a decision, in particular defining who should be consulted and whose views should be determinative in reaching a decision and what role the courts should play. It is these matters that will be dealt with in the remaining chapters. However, in discussing ethics there will inevitably be reference to some court cases because certain legal decisions have been crucial in the evolution and acceptance of some of the ethical attitudes that have come to inform contemporary medical practice. Moreover, high profile court cases have been important not just for establishing legal precedents or confirming previous judgements, but in the discussions they have provoked among physicians, ethicists and the public about the issues involved. There is therefore inevitably some overlap and repetition in the chapters dealing with ethical and legal issues.