What is required for a consent to be considered valid?

For consent to be considered valid, it is essential that it is informed and voluntary. This means that the person giving consent must have a clear understanding of what they are consenting to and should make that decision freely, without any pressure, coercion, or manipulation.

Informed consent ensures that the individual is aware of the implications, risks, and nature of the situation or action they are consenting to. Voluntary consent emphasizes that the choice to agree must come from the individual’s own will, rather than being forced or influenced by external factors. Together, these aspects protect the rights of the individual and ensure that consent is meaningful in a legal or ethical context.

The requirement for consent to be expressed verbally could lead to misunderstandings or situations where implied consent could also be valid. Implicit consent might not cover all necessary aspects of understanding, thereby failing to ensure the individual is fully aware. Notarization, while useful for certain legal documents, is unnecessary for the validity of consent in many situations, particularly those involving personal decision-making.