Chapter 10 Links to key cases

Dying and death

Re A (Conjoined Twins) [2001] Fam 147 (CA) http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2000/254.html
This is the leading case on how the law responds to conjoined twins.




Re B (Adult: Refusal of Medical Treatment) [2002] 2 FCR 1 http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2002/429.html
This case confirms the existence of the right to refuse treatment.




NHS Foundation Hospital v P [2014] EWHC 1650 (Fam) http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2014/1650.html
This case considers the limits of the right to refuse treatment.




R (Nicklinson) v Ministry of Justice [2014] UKSC 38 http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKSC/2014/38.html
This case considers human rights issues around death.




Haas v Switzerland Application no. 31322/07 (2011) ECHR 10 http://www.bailii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/2011/2422.html
This case confirms there is no positive right to assisted suicide under the ECHR.




R (Pretty) v DPP [2002] 1 AC 800; Pretty v UK [2002] 2 FCR 97
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200102/ldjudgmt/jd011129/pretty-1.htm
This cases considers the extent to which there is a right to die under the ECHR.




R (Purdy) v DPP [2009] UKHL 45 http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/uk/cases/UKHL/2009/45.html
This cases considers the extent to which there is a right to die under the ECHR.




R (Burke) v GMC [2005] 3 FCR 169 http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2005/1003.html
An exploration of whether there is a right to be kept alive, if that is one wants.




Airedale National Health Service v Bland [1993] AC 789 http://www.swarb.co.uk/c/hl/1993airedale_bland.html
An analysis of how the law treats patients in vegetative state.




M v A NHS Trust [2011] EWHC 2443 http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2011/2443.html
A discussion of the treatment of patients in a minimally conscious state.




The Charlotte Wyatt Litigation [2005] EWCA 1181
http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2005/1181.html
A leading case on the treatment of seriously ill children.




Re Z (An Adult: Capacity) [2004] EWHC 2817
http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2004/2817.html
An exploration of how the law responds to end of life issues when a patient lacks capacity.




Re M (Withdrawal of Treatment : Need for Proceedings) [2017] EWCOP 19
http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCOP/2017/19.html
A leading case on withdrawal of treatment.




Aintree University Hospital v James [2013] UKSC 67
http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKSC/2013/67.html
A discussion of the concept of best interests in end of life cases.




Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Local Health Board v RY [2017] EWCOP 2
http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCOP/2017/2.html
A discussion of when it may be in someone’s interests to be allowed to die.

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