The Director of Public Prosecutions' Interim Policy for Prosecutors in Respect of Cases of Assisted Suicide: A Response to the Consultation

Abstract

Following the House of Lords’ decision in Purdy, the DPP issued an Interim Policy for prosecutors setting out the factors to be considered when deciding whether a prosecution in an assisted suicide case is in the public interest. This is a response to the subsequent public consultation on the Interim Policy. Key aspects of the policy are examined, including the person assisted’s condition, their engagement with medical care and their decision to commit suicide. The response also examines the DPP’s decision to prevent professional or organised amateur involvement and the focus on “reluctant” assistance.

Keywords: assisted suicide, physician-assisted suicide, PAS, prosecution, UK, legal change, dying, end of life, terminal illness, disability