Debate re Assisted Dying is delayed
As reported in the Bailiwick Express - 29.09.25
The assisted dying debate has been delayed until early next year after politicians raised concerns about the amount of time available to review the draft law.
The States Assembly last year voted in favour of setting up an assisted dying service in Jersey for islanders with terminal illnesses and neurodegenerative diseases.
The proposed legislation was due to be debated before the end of this year – but it has now emerged that it will be delayed until January.
In a letter to the Assisted Dying Review Panel, Health Minister Tom Binet said: “It is highly regrettable that we cannot deliver on our public commitment to debate before end of 2025, but I fully accept the need for thorough scrutiny.
“I note your assurance that you are confident that the panel will be able to complete its work in time to allow for a full debate on 20 January 2026.”
It comes after scrutineers raised concerns that their ability to review the draft assisted dying law would be “severely compromised” by the debate being moved forward.
With the 2026 Budget and the assisted dying law both due to come before States Members in the next few months, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham had suggested bringing the assisted dying debate forward from its original December date to 25 November.
But Deputies Inna Gardiner and Louise Doublet said this new schedule was too rushed.
In a letter to Deputy Farnham, the Scrutiny Liaison Committee and Assisted Dying Review Panel chairs said assisted dying is “sensitive, complex and impactful” – and needs enough time to be property scrutinised.
Bringing the debate forward is “problematic” and would “severely impact” Scrutiny’s ability to get input from expert advisors who were only appointed recently, they said.
Confirming that the debate will be delayed, Deputy Binet added: “As discussed at our meeting it would be extremely disappointing to the public if, having delayed the debate, the draft law was then called in by the panel, hence I thank you for your stated commitment to ensure deadlines are met to avoid this happening.”