The former UK Supreme Court judge argues assisted dying decisions should not involve courts, suggesting a simpler process for terminally ill patients.
London: The UK’s former top judge, Lord Sumption, has shared his views on assisted dying. He believes decisions about assisted dying should not go through the courts. Instead, he suggests removing the requirement for terminally ill patients to seek court approval.
Currently, a proposed Bill would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to end their lives legally. This would require approval from two doctors and a High Court judge. However, Lord Sumption thinks this process is too complicated.
During a recent committee meeting, he mentioned that the court process is public and can cause delays. He believes a simpler approach would be better for everyone involved. He supports the idea of keeping medical assessments private and informal.
Another retired judge, Sir Nicholas Mostyn, also spoke at the committee. He suggested using a panel, similar to Spain’s system, instead of relying solely on the High Court. He raised concerns about the court’s capacity to handle these cases efficiently.
Lord Sumption also warned about the potential for coercion in assisted dying decisions. He emphasized the need for strong safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals. While he supports the Bill’s principle, he acknowledges the challenges in balancing these concerns.
The Bill is expected to return to the Commons for further debate later this year. Some MPs who initially supported it are now cautious, wanting to ensure adequate protections are in place.
