Jersey is set to become the second part of the British Isles to legalise assisted dying after lawmakers approved legislation allowing the practice for certain terminally ill individuals.
The law was passed on Thursday in the States Assembly by 32 votes to 16. However, it still requires royal assent before it can come into force. The move follows similar legislation approved last year in the Isle of Man, although that law remains pending royal assent in London.
Under the newly approved Jersey legislation, a person diagnosed with a terminal illness and experiencing or expected to experience unbearable suffering may choose to end their life with medical assistance. To qualify, the individual must be assessed by medical professionals and confirmed to have a physical condition likely to cause death within six months, or within 12 months in cases involving degenerative nervous system disorders.
The law also stipulates strict safeguards. Applicants must have the mental capacity to make the decision, and their request must be voluntary, clearly expressed, settled, and informed.
The development comes as efforts to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales appear to have stalled. According to Sky News, the UK government has declined to allocate additional parliamentary time to debate proposed assisted dying legislation in the House of Lords, effectively halting its progress.
Meanwhile, lawmakers in Scotland previously voted in favour of assisted dying proposals, marking the first step in what is expected to be a lengthy legislative process.
Jersey’s decision marks a significant shift in end of life policy within the British Isles, reflecting ongoing debate about ethics, autonomy, and medical responsibility.
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