Capacity to decide is a significant aspect of informed consent. An individual who is able to understand the nature of the act/procedure and its probable consequences should give consent. The person giving the consent must be mature enough to understand, evaluate and estimate the risks and benefits associated with the proposed treatment. He should be able to accept the responsibility for the informed consent given to the proposed treatment. Following are the characteristics that describe a competent person:

A person with a sound mind.

A person with proper reasoning. 

One who understands the implications of his consent.

A person who is at least 12 years of age.

The informed consent is considered to be legally valid if all the aforementioned components are fulfilled.