Is the latest assisted dying bill likely to be made law?

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will be brought before the Commons in its entirety in the coming days, with a debate in the chamber scheduled for the end of the month.

- SEAN O'GRADY

As it comes from the elected chamber, it will probably be similar to – but supersede and render redundant – an equivalent bill that is currently in the House of Lords, introduced by Charlie Falconer, a former lord chancellor.

The Commons version is a private member’s bill led by Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP for Spen Valley. There will obviously be much focus on the details and safeguards in the bill, but there are increasing signs that the way the issue is being discussed may hamper its progress...

What will the bill say?

It will amend existing legislation, such as the Suicide Act 1961 and the 2009 Coroners and Justice Act. The aim is to allow people to end their lives, and for others to be permitted to help them to do so, in certain specific circumstances and with safeguards and conditions attached. Leadbeater says that her bill will boast the “strictest protections and safeguards of any legislation anywhere in the world”. This will probably include limits around eligibility in terms of life expectancy, mental competence, two medical opinions, and High Court approval.