Scrutiny Panel proposes changes to the Draft Assisted Dying Law
Scrutiny
10 February 2026
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The Assisted Dying Review Panel has lodged the following seven proposed amendments to the Draft Assisted Dying Legislation ahead of the States Assembly debate later this month:Third Amendment: Administration
This amendment proposes introducing a tiered framework for the administration model of the assisted dying service. The measure would introduce self-administration as the default model, with additional provisions for practitioner-assisted and practitioner-administered in cases where patients are physically unable to self-administer. The intended purpose of the amendment is to introduce a final safeguard against coercion and to ensure bodily autonomy at the final stage.
Fourth Amendment: Removal of appeals by persons with special interest
This amendment proposes removing provisions within the Law that would permit appeals by persons with a “special interest” against a positive decision to provide assisted dying. The Panel considers that this is out of step with international practice, raises material risks in relation to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and is unnecessary considering the extensive safeguards already proposed in the Jersey model. The amendment deletes these provisions so that the only person able to challenge a decision is the individual seeking assisted dying, in line with the approach taken in the overwhelming majority of comparable jurisdictions.
Fifth Amendment: Offences of coercing decision to have, or not have, assisted death
- Firstly, this amendment proposes strengthening criminal protections within the Draft Assisted Dying (Jersey) Law by refining the offence of coercion and creating a clearer legal distinction between pressuring someone into an assisted death and pressuring them out of one. It replaces the term “dishonestly” with “maliciously” to provide a more precise and workable threshold for criminal liability, ensuring that only harmful and improper influence is captured.
- Secondly, while coercion into having an assisted death would continue to carry the existing maximum penalty of up to 14 years’ imprisonment, the insertion of a new Article into the draft Law would mean coercion aimed at preventing or halting an assisted dying request would carry a lower‑level penalty, limited to a fine. This reflects the ethical and practical differences between the two forms of coercion while ensuring both are clearly prohibited.
Overall, the amendment enhances the clarity, proportionality and safeguarding intent of the legislation, ensuring that decisions about assisted dying remain genuinely autonomous and free from undue influence.
Sixth Amendment: Restriction on giving information at doctor’s general practice
This amendment proposes introducing a specific safeguard governing how written information about assisted dying may be provided within GP surgeries. The measure does not restrict public awareness or wider access to information; rather, it ensures that written materials are given in a supported clinical context with a health professional present, enabling explanations, clarification and signposting to other services such as palliative or psychosocial support. The purpose of the amendment is to ensure that individuals do not encounter written materials relating to assisted dying in GP surgeries without this clinical support.
Seventh Amendment: Guidance and training on identifying risk factors and coercion
This amendment proposes strengthening the safeguarding provisions within the Law by ensuring that the training and general guidance required under the Law explicitly cover the identification of coercive control, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse and other forms of undue influence, including recognising the risk factors for exposure to coercion or abuse, such as a person’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or socio economic circumstances.
Under the draft Law as lodged, mandatory training applies to assisted dying practitioners, certified doctors and care navigators, with wider safeguarding training for other relevant agencies and services remaining optional. This amendment would therefore ensure that this statutory training is provided on an ongoing basis to all relevant agencies. In doing so, it strengthens the safeguards around any assisted dying request which should be made freely, voluntarily and without pressure.
Eighth Amendment: Review of Law’s implementation and involvement of representatives of people with disabilities
This amendment proposes strengthening transparency, accountability and inclusivity in the implementation of the assisted dying framework by requiring:
- an early statutory review of how the Law is operating, to be completed and published within three years of full commencement; and
- the Assisted Dying Assurance and Delivery Committee to consult appropriate representatives of people with disabilities during implementation and when conducting the post-implementation review.
The Panel considers these measures:
- strengthen safety, transparency and public confidence
- ensure that implementation and review are informed by lived experience
- provide a practical means to refine guidance, safeguards and service delivery in Jersey.
Ninth Amendment: Minister presents report to States Assembly each year
This amendment proposes placing a statutory obligation on the Minister for Health and Social Services to formally present the Assisted Dying Assurance and Delivery Committee’s annual report to the States Assembly.
This will ensure that States Members receive consistent updates on the operation of the assisted dying framework, the effectiveness and compliance of its safeguards, any emerging issues identified by the Committee, and any recommendations made to support improvement. The Panel considers this requirement to be an essential component of effective governance and believes that reporting of this nature should be embedded within the legislation rather than left to administrative practice.
The Chair of the Assisted Dying Review Panel, Deputy Louise Doublet, said:
“This is one of the most significant pieces of legislation to come before the Assembly in quite some time. If approved, Jersey would become one of the first jurisdictions in the British Isles to introduce legislation enabling an Assisted Dying service to be set up.
“My panel has conducted extensive analysis and scrutiny of the draft Law, supported by recommendations and guidance from our expert advisers, whose knowledge and expertise has been of immense value. Our amendments are constructive and evidence based. They will contribute towards the creation of effective legislation, with the aim of delivering an Assisted Dying Service that is safe, respectful and in line with best practice in other jurisdictions around the world.
“We have worked very closely with the Minister and his team throughout this process. I would like to thank him and his officers for their cooperation”.
