What you'll get from this guide

• A practical guidance on what to consider and the process to follow when responding to a request for non-therapeutic male circumcision (NTMC) on a child.
• Information on specific areas relating to NTMC such as the law, determining best interests, consent and refusal, disputes, declining request for NTMC, providing NTMC and record-keeping.
• Considerations on the type of factors that might be relevant in assessing ‘child's best interests’.

How to use this guide

This guidance will provide you with the key legal and ethical considerations you need to take into account when making a decision on non-therapeutic male circumcision (NTMC), and signposts to other sources of support and information.

It is not a set of rules or instructions, or a substitute for careful reflection and discussion with colleagues. Moreover, it does not cover circumcision carried out by non-doctors; nor does it provide a comprehensive detailed reflection on all the international and UK debates on the issue.

You can seek additional advice on specific dilemmas from the BMA’s medical ethics and human rights department, the GMC, or your medical defence organisation.