Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Autonomy: Autonomy means having the right to govern yourself. It can also refer to a place or state that governs itself without outside control. When something is autonomous, it means it can function independently without needing someone else to make decisions for it.
Definition: Autonomy is the right of a person or group to govern themselves without outside interference. It can also refer to a self-governing state.
Example 1: A patient has the right to make their own medical decisions, even if their doctor disagrees with them. This is an example of autonomy in healthcare.
Example 2: Scotland has its own parliament and government, which gives it a degree of autonomy within the United Kingdom.
These examples illustrate how autonomy allows individuals or groups to make decisions for themselves, without being controlled by others. It is an important concept in areas such as healthcare, politics, and human rights.