UK’s former top judge warns assisted dying approval should be kept out of courts
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK’s former top judge has warned that assisted dying decisions should be kept out of the courts, suggesting the removal of the clause that requires terminally ill people to get court approval. The Bill could see terminally ill adults in England and Wales with under six months to live legally allowed to end their lives, subject to approval by two doctors and a High Court judge. open image in gallery Former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption gave evidence to the assisted dying committee Ms Leadbeater asked him whether he would agree with remarks made by England’s chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty, who urged MPs to not overly complicate assisted dying laws if they are to introduce it. Under the Terminally Ill Adults Bill in its current form, a High Court judge must hear from at least one of two independent doctors who have signed off the dying person’s application and can also question the dying person as well as anyone else they consider appropriate.
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