The sensitive issue of Assisted Dying has been in the news quite regularly over the last few months. A recent judgement in the High Court, Morris v Morris [2024] EWHC 2554 Ch highlights some of the implications. The case concerned a lady, Myra Morris, a 73 year old who had struggled for a number of years with multiple system atrophy. Mrs Morris decided to travel to Switzerland in December 2023 with her husband and adult children to end her life. Mrs Morris self-administered a lethal drug dose with the help of staff.
Mrs Morris had a Will which stated her husband as her beneficiary and their children in substitute. However, under the Suicide Act 1961, her husband would have lost his right to inherit his wife’s estate due to assisting with her death. Her husband sought relief from the Court to enable him to inherit his wife’s estate. The Court allowed her husband to inherit her estate and they also allowed the children’s inheritance to remain.
This judgement sets a legal precedent as it demonstrates travelling with a loved one does not automatically amount to assisting suicide under UK law.
There is a bill (Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill) due to be debated in the House of Commons in November 24. If it becomes law and a loved one is asked to help to end life, it will potentially, no longer be a crime.
There are many other arguments for and against so watch this space…..
If you require any further assistance then please contact a member of our wills and probate team.
