Reforming the law concerning assisted dying

The question of whether English law should be reformed to legalize assisted dying has been the cause of heated debate over many years. The courts have consistently rejected challenges to change the law in the area. However in 2009 Debbie Purdy achieved success in requiring the Director of Public Prosecutions to produce prosecution guidelines on assisted suicide. This paper explores the current law in the area and examines the proposals for reform of the Falconer Commission which were published in January 2012.