R (Nicklinson) v Ministry of Justice (CNK Alliance Ltd intervening)

Subject Matter

CRIME — Aiding and abetting — Suicide — Claimants with irreversible physical disabilities seeking assistance to commit suicide — Whether blanket prohibition on assisting suicide compatible with Convention right to private and family life — Whether appropriate for court to make declaration of incompatibility — Whether Director of Public Prosecutions to be required to clarify published policy statement to enable potential helpers to know whether prosecution in England likely — Suicide Act 1961, s 2(1)(4) (as amended by Criminal Law Act 1967, Sch 3, Pt II, Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975, Sch 6, Pt I and Coroners and Justice Act 2009, s 59) — Human Rights Act 1998, s 6, Sch 1, Pt I, art 8

[2012] EWHC 2381 (Admin); [2015] AC 657; [2014] 3 WLR 200; [2012] 3 FCR 233; (2012) 127 BMLR 197; [2012] HRLR 32; [2012] Med LR 544; [2012] WLR (D) 248; [2012] ACD 118; The Times, 13 November 2012, DC

[2013] EWCA Civ 961; [2015] AC 657; [2014] 3 WLR 200; [2014] 2 All ER 32; [2014] 1 FCR 316; (2013) 133 BMLR 46; [2013] HRLR 36; [2013] WLR (D) 326, CA

[2014] UKSC 38; [2015] AC 657; [2014] 3 WLR 200; [2014] 3 All ER 843; [2014] 3 FCR 1; (2014) 139 BMLR 1; [2014] HRLR 17; [2014] WLR (D) 298; The Times, 26 June 2014; Case details, SC(E)

CRIME — Aiding and abetting — Voluntary active euthanasia — Claimant with “locked-in syndrome” seeking declaration that not unlawful to terminate life on grounds of necessity — Ministry of Justice applying to strike out proceedings — Whether arguable case relating to availability of defence of necessity — Whether for courts to fill gap in common law even where Parliament deliberately leaving empty — Human Rights Act 1998, ss 1, 6, Sch 1, Pt I, arts 2, 8

[2012] EWHC 304 (QB); (2012) 124 BMLR 191; [2012] Med LR 383; [2012] HRLR 16; [2012] WLR (D) 75, QBD

Appellate History

Commentary

Blackstones Criminal Practice 2025
Omission to Act - Failure to Provide Medical Treatment - Withholding Treatment in the Best Interests of the Patient A1.22

Encouraging or Assisting Suicide - Procedure B1.155

Murder - Elements - Unlawful Killing B1.17

Defences Involving Other Excuses and Justifications - Necessity A3.48