3 - CONSENT 3.1 The informed consent of the patients is a prerequisite for any medical intervention. 3-2 A patient has the right to refuse or to halt a medical intervention. The implications of refusing or halting such an intervention must be carefully explained to the patient. 3.3 When a patient is unable to express his or her will and a medical intervention is urgently needed, the consent of the patient may be presumed, unless it is obvious from a previously declared expression of will that consent would be refused in the situation. 3.4 When the consent of a legal representative is required and the proposed intervention is urgently needed, that intervention may be made if it is not possible to obtain, in time, the representative's consent. 3.5 When the consent of a legal representative is required, patients (whether minor or adult) must nevertheless be involved in the decision-making process to, the fullest extent which their capacity allows. 3.6 If a legal representative refuses to give consent and the physician or other provider is of the opinion that the intervention is in the interest of the patient, then the decision must be referred to a court or some form if arbitration. 3.7 In all other situations where the patient is unable to give informed consent and where there is no legal representative orrepresentative designated by the patient for this purpose, appropriate measures should be taken to provide for a substitute stupsertod stup6site