Physician-assisted dying

The proposed law would—with strict safeguards—make it legal for adults in England and Wales to be assisted to end their own life as long as they have mental capacity and can be deemed to have expressed a ‘clear, settled and informed’ wish, free from coercion. The individual must be expected to die within six months.

Two doctors would need to certify the person’s eligibility, with at least seven days between assessments. A High Court judge must hear from at least one of the doctors, and could question the individual or anyone else they consider appropriate, before agreeing the application.

Anyone found guilty of pressuring, coercing or using dishonesty would face up to 14 years in prison.