woman could not historically act as next friend (feme covert), but this practice is no longer current, at least in the United States, where either or both of a minor's parents may act as next friend. (An exception is in divorce cases or other cases affecting child custody; in such cases, courts often appoint a guardian ad litem or attorney (independent of the parents) to represent the child's interests, which may not be aligned with either parent's interests.) In the case of mental incapacity, a conservator, guardian, or committee represents the person in court. Still, if they have no such representative, or if the committee has some interest adverse to the claimant, they may sue by a next friend. In United States law, next friends have sometimes been permitted to litigate habeas corpus actions to challenge the detention of prisoners who are not able to appear in court on their own behalf. For example, family members, attorneys, and non-governmental organizations have sought to bring claims as next friends on behalf of detainees classified as enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere, during the War on Terror following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Another case arose following the monkey selfie affair, when the animal rights organization People for Ethical Treatment of Animals sued photographer David Slater, asserting itself as the next friend of a Celebes crested macaque. See also McKenzie friend References Attribution Agency law Common law Common law legal terminology