‘Dangerous Guidance’ – Criminal Law and Assisted Suicide

December 23, 2009 | No Comments

The author of this article, John Keown of Georgetown University, considers the DPP’s interim guidelines, outlining the factors to be taken into account in determining whether it is in the public interest to prosecute people assisting or encouraging suicide, issued for consultation following the House of Lords decision in R. (on the application of Purdy) v DPP. The consensus drawn is that they need to be tightened. The article explains the issues that should be addressed, including the importance of making it clear that prosecution will be the rule unless there are exceptional circumstances.

This article appears in full in New Law Journal N.L.J. (2009) Vol.159 No.7397, Page 1718.

R (on the application of Purdy) V DPP is available to read here.

Art. 02 Right to Life, Art. 08 Right to Private and Family Life, Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure, Medical Law

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Formed in May 2009, the Scottish Human Rights Law Group is a non-affiliated, independent, professional network for those engaged in legal practice and study, in academia and politics, in campaigning and in the provision of advice. It exists to raise awareness and knowledge of human rights law in Scotland, and to provide a forum for discussion of matters of interest across the field. The group organises seminars and roundtable discussions on human rights and is accredited for the purposes of CPD.