consultee

A consultee is a person or organization that is consulted in the course of a decision-making process. The term is used across public administration, planning, policy development, and certain ethical or clinical contexts to denote those whose views, expertise, or information can inform an outcome. The word derives from Latin consulere, meaning to take counsel or consult.

In planning and public administration, consultees provide input on proposed developments or policies. In many jurisdictions, developers must notify and seek responses from statutory consultees such as transportation authorities, environmental agencies, or heritage bodies. Consultees’ comments are typically advisory, but they can influence conditions, requirements, or the eventual approval or refusal of a proposal. Failure to engage appropriate consultees can slow proceedings or invite challenge.

In clinical ethics and capacity-related decisions, a consultee may be involved when a person lacks capacity to decide about medical treatment. Under relevant legal frameworks, consultees offer information about what the person would likely have wanted. There are often two categories: nominated consultees, who know the patient, and professional consultees, such as clinicians. The consultee’s input helps determine the patient’s best interests, but it does not alone determine the medical decision.

The term also appears in general policy and stakeholder engagement, where a consultee is any party whose perspective is sought to inform policy development or regulatory decisions. Practices regarding who qualifies as a consultee and how their input is weighed vary by jurisdiction and context.