UK’s former top judge warns assisted dying approval should be kept out of courts Lord Sumption previously backed a change in the law to allow assisted dying but described Kim Leadbeater’s legislation as ‘over-engineered, bureaucratic, and coldly inhumane’.
The former Supreme Court justice previously backed a change in the law to allow assisted dying, but described Kim Leadbeater’s legislation – which passed its second reading in the Commons before Christmas last year – as “over-engineered, bureaucratic, and coldly inhumane”.
But giving evidence at the Assisted Dying Committee on Wednesday, Lord Sumption suggested the removal of the clause 12 stage, which requires a terminally ill person to apply to the High Court for a declaration that the requirements of the Bill have been met.
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.
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.
