Each of the following papers gives an account of a different UK clinical et
hics committee. The committees vary in the length of time they have been es
tablished, and also in the main focus of their work. The accounts discuss t
he development of the committees and some of the ethical problems that have
been brought to them. The issues raised will be relevant for other Nationa
l Health Service (NHS) trusts in the UK that with to set up such a committe
e.