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NLJ this week: A judge’s perspective on safeguards in the assisted dying bill

18 April 2025
Issue: 8113 / Categories: Legal News , Health , Procedure & practice , Human rights
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The safeguarding role of a High Court judge in the assisted dying bill currently before Parliament has been replaced by the oversight of a panel comprising a psychiatrist, social worker and lawyer. In this week’s NLJ, Sir Mark Hedley, a retired High Court judge, shares his reflections on the loss of the judicial role itself.

Sir Mark does so ‘from the perspective of 11 years’ service as a High Court judge of the Family Division, who heard some ten cases in which my decision led (or was expected to lead) to the death of a child or an adult. Each case remains seared in my memory even after 12 years of retirement’.

While Sir Mark emphasises that he offers no comment on the merits of the Bill itself, he makes several observations on the operation and consequences of the Bill, which the legislators may not have appreciated and from the point of view of an experienced judge. 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
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