The Court of Protection yesterday ruled that life supporting treatment for Paul Briggs should be withdrawn.
Paul’s wife Lindsey, in an application concerning Paul’s health and welfare, asked the court of protection to allow her husband to die, saying he would have seen living in his current condition as torture and hell.
Mr Justice Charles announced his decision yesterday after analysing evidence presented at a hearing in Manchester last month in the court of protection, where judges consider issues relating to people who lack the mental capacity to take decisions.
The judge agreed that it was not in Briggs’s best interests for treatment to continue, and that it was lawful to withdraw treatment. He recommended that Briggs be moved to a hospice to be given palliative care for the final weeks of his life.
It is understood that the Official Solicitor, on behalf of Paul Briggs, has applied for permission to appeal the decision.
The Court of Protection is responsible for making decisions on behalf of those who lack capacity to make the decision for themselves; this can include decisions as to medical treatment, where someone should live, the care and treatment they receive, restrictions upon a persons freedom which may amount to a deprivation of their liberty and decisions as to a persons contact with others.
At Southerns we have a team of experienced Court of Protection lawyers who are able to advise and represent those who may be unable to make decisions for themselves, their family, friends or advocates.
As a legal aid provider we are able to assess your eligibility for legal aid funding which may be available.
Please contact us for a free, no obligation consultation should you require any help.
To read the full news article by The Guardian, please click here.