Self-determination is a central tenet of social work ethics. However, operationalizing self-determination in the form of informed consent is an issue that has been largely ignored in the professional literature. This omission is critical in the areas of forensic and child welfare social work practice. In addressing ethical dilemmas in court-mandated social work practice, the authors consider several threats to informed consent, including the difficulty in accurately predicting the risks and benefits of social work intervention, the power imbalance between the worker and the client, and the nature of the therapeutic alliance. A further dilemma is posed by the dual role of social workers—individual intervention and social justice—and the challenge of ensuring that the rights of individuals are upheld while considering the interests of other vulnerable members of society. As with other ethical issues in social work, guidelines regarding informed consent leave considerable room for discretion, and it is important that this discretion be exercised responsibly. Social workers must be clear about their obligations and their priorities when evaluating a client's life circumstances for a legally ascribed purpose.