Isle of Man Becomes First in British Isles to Approve Assisted Dying Law

The Isle of Man’s parliament has passed the Assisted Dying Bill, moving it to royal assent, while England and Wales face delays and amendments to their proposed legislation.

The Isle of Man's Assisted Dying Bill, approved by its parliament, will now proceed to royal assent, with implementation expected by 2027.
The law will allow terminally ill adults with a prognosis of 12 months or less to seek assisted dying, provided they have lived on the island for at least five years.
Doctors in the Isle of Man will have the option to opt-in to providing the service, a measure supported by the British Medical Association.
In England and Wales, the Assisted Dying Bill has been delayed to 2029, with significant amendments replacing High Court oversight with expert panels.
Critics of assisted dying legislation raise concerns about risks to vulnerable populations, while supporters emphasize autonomy and dignity for terminally ill individuals.