In the context of legal capacity, which group of individuals may often lack the ability to make binding decisions?

Individuals classified as minors often lack the legal capacity to make binding decisions. In most jurisdictions, including Queensland, the law recognizes that minors—typically individuals under the age of 18—are not considered fully capable of understanding the implications of legal agreements or the responsibilities they entail. This lack of capacity is designed to protect younger individuals from making decisions that may not be in their best interests, given their limited life experience and understanding.

For context, married individuals generally have the legal capacity to make decisions as adults, subject to the laws affecting their marital status. Business owners also possess legal capacity to engage in contracts and make business decisions relevant to their enterprises. Lastly, individuals with legal knowledge, while not automatically granted enhanced decision-making capacity, are typically presumed to have the ability to understand legal documents and implications better than those without such knowledge. Hence, the specific focus on minors as a group that often lacks the ability to make binding decisions highlights the protective measures in legal capacity law.