Assisted Dying

Three former directors of public prosecutions have backed proposals to introduce assisted dying in England and Wales ahead of a vote next month. Sir Max Hill, Dame Alison Saunders and Lord Macdonald of River Glaven have expressed support for the bill to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adu

Serious issues with the Scottish Parliament’s Assisted Dying Bill must be addressed to avoid uncertainly and negative outcomes, according to the Law Society of Scotland. The Law Society said it does not have a moral or ethical position on the stated objectives of the Assisted Dying for Termina

Jersey has approved plans to introduce an assisted dying law in the coming years. Members of the States Assembly voted 32 to 14 in favour of introducing the law for people with fewer than six months to live, or 12 months for those with a neurodegenerative condition.

After much delay, the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill was published on 27 March 2024. Next, it will be scrutinised by a Holyrood committee and voted on by MSPs, probably later this year, writes Dr Mary Neal. Much can (and will) be said about whether this bill is safer for pa

The Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland have released a joint statement opposing proposals to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults in Scotland. The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill has been introduced as a private member's bill by Liam Mc

Portugal has approved new legislation allowing for assisted dying and euthanasia in limited circumstances. The bill was approved by parliamentarians from the governing Socialist Party and its centre-left allies in spite of serious opposition from the country's conservative president, who had vetoed

The Humanist Society Scotland has said "the time is now" for Scotland to enshrine assisted dying in law, as Liam McArthur MSP lodges a new bill following the highest number of responses to a public consultation on a members bill. A total of 14,038 consultation responses were received – th

A proposal for a member's bill to enable competent adults who are terminally ill to be able to end their life has been lodged. Liam McArthur MSP launched a consultation on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill at Holyrood yesterday.

Queensland has become the fifth Australian state to permit euthanasia. Terminally ill people in the state will be able to access drugs to end their own lives after the state legislature voted to legalise the practice.

Some 200 medical professionals have expressed “great concern” over a proposed bill to grant the terminally ill the right to an assisted suicide. Health care professionals from various specialities have signed a letter to Health Secretary Humza Yousaf detailing their concerns.

Jersey is to legalise assisted dying after a citizens’ jury voted in favour of a change in the law. Last week, 78 per cent of a citizens' jury that was convened on the issue said that terminally ill islanders should be able to seek help to end their life.

A bill to legalise assisted dying is being lodged at Holyrood today. The proposals by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur would introduce the right to an assisted death for terminally ill, mentally competent adults.