[clarification needed] Rosie and Gracie Attard, who were born in Manchester on 8 August 2000, were conjoined twins who were joined at the abdomen.

[1] Their parents, Rina and Michelangelo Attard of Xagħra, Gozo, Malta, had strong Roman Catholic beliefs.

Lord Justice Ward invoked the concept of self-defence suggesting that "If [Gracie] could speak she would surely protest, Stop it, [Rosie], you're killing me.

Lord Justice Robert Walker focused upon the morally understandable intention of the surgeons, and the great body of profession opinion, in concluding that surgery could go ahead.

[6] In 2020 she was described by surgeon Adrian Bianchi, who had stayed in touch with the family, as "stable, intelligent, independent" and "intent on establishing a professional career".