16/06/08 - Court will review law on assisted suicide

 Two judges have today ruled that a Judicial Review of the law around assisting a suicide, in countries where it is lawful, should go ahead.

The case, brought by Debbie Purdy, 45, from Bradford, who suffers from Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, asks the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to issue a statement that reflects the true position of the law, which is that friends or relatives who assist a loved one to have an assisted suicide in a country where it is lawful are not prosecuted. 

Debbie said:

“I am delighted that the courts have decided to officially review the law surrounding my case.”

Debbie wants to travel to assisted suicide clinic, Dignitas, in Switzerland, to end her life when her suffering has become unbearable, as there is currently no law in the UK that will allow her to request a medically assisted death. Debbie wants her husband, Omar Puente, to accompany her.

Debbie continued:

“If the DPP does clarifythat my husband will not be prosecuted for accompanying me to Dignitas, I will be able to wait until I’m ready to go. I want to wait until the last possible moment - if I can no longer bear being alive - but I cannot do that while there is a chance my husband will be prosecuted. If the DPP does not give this assurance, then I would need to go to Dignitas a long time before I want to die, but at least I would know where I stand.”

Debbie’s case will now proceed to a Judicial Review, due to take place in October, which could see a new policy issued on the law surrounding anyone who accompanies another person abroad to have an assisted death, in a country where this is legal.

Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, which is supporting Debbie’s case, said:

“We are relieved that the Court has made this decision. We hope that common sense prevails and the Judicial Review will clarify the law, so that people considering travelling to Dignitas will know where they stand.

“This is an important step forward for Debbie Purdy and others like her. If the DPP issues a policy on the law, Debbie may be able to live longer, knowing that if her suffering becomes too much to bear, she has the option of having an assisted death, with her husband by her side.”

“Of course, the decision to travel to Dignitas is far from ideal. People who are terminally ill and mentally competent should have the option of requesting a medically assisted death in the comfort of their own country, surrounded by the people they love.”

Debbie is represented by Ms Saimo Chahal of Bindmans LLP, a leading civil liberties firm.  The case will be heard at the Divisional Court.