Crossing the Rubicon? Legal developments in assisted suicide

Summary UK law on assisted suicide and euthanasia is very clear: it is unlawful. However, there have been successive proposals for changes to legislation in this area (in England and Scotland) and a series of individual challenges to current legislation in the courts. This article does not seek to debate the profound ethical arguments that surround this emotive subject, but instead to portray how the law, through court judgment and legislative proposals, has wrestled with opposing views, particularly over the past decade or so, as the impact of the Human Rights Act has presented unique challenges. Some of our closest European neighbours have diverse legislation that could influence our own legislature, and, from across the Atlantic, the Oregon Death with Dignity Act is being mirrored in proposals to change the law in the UK. Learning Objectives • Be able to recognise the impact of the Human Rights Act on challenges to legislation relating to assisted suicide. • Understand proposals for statute. • Appreciate how certain other countries legislate in this area.