Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Assisted suicide definition

What does Assisted suicide mean? Assisted suicide describes conduct by a third party that helps a person to end their own life—such as supplying means or information, arranging logistics (including travel), or otherwise facilitating—while the person performs the final act. It is distinct from euthanasia, where another person directly causes death. The phrase is descriptive; legislation typically refers to “encouraging or assisting suicide”. England and Wales: encouraging or assisting suicide is an offence under section 2 of the Suicide Act 1961 (as amended by the Coroners and Justice Act 2009). Prosecutorial decisions are guided by the DPP’s policy (following R (Purdy) v DPP) and case...

Assisting or Encouraging Suicide under the Suicide Act 1961, section 2: Elements, DPP Policy, Case Law and Sentencing (England and Wales)

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Practice notes

Assisting or encouraging suicide since 1st February 2010

Section 1 of the Suicide ACT 1961 (SA 1961) repealed the crime of suicide. Nonetheless, inciting or aiding another person’s suicide remains an offence under the law. Amendments to SA 1961, introduced by section 59 and Schedule 2 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, took effect on 1 February 2010 and apply solely to conduct occurring on or after that date. Although the wording of SA 1961, s 2 was substantially revised, the scope of the law is entirely unchanged and wholly intact...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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