The island of Jersey has taken a decisive step by voting to legalise assisted dying for certain terminally ill adults, marking a significant development as a parallel bill in the United Kingdom Parliament faces substantial delays in the House of Lords. This move positions Jersey as the second British Crown possession to approve such legislation, following the Isle of Man's decision last year.
Jersey's Assisted Dying Law Passes with Strong Support
On Thursday, 26 February 2026, Jersey's States Assembly passed the Assisted Dying Law by a vote of 32 to 16 after three days of intense debate. The bill, which now awaits the formal approval of King Charles III, will permit terminally ill residents who have lived in Jersey for over a year and are expected to have less than six months to live—or less than 12 months if suffering from a neurodegenerative disease—to end their lives. Notably, the legislation allows a doctor or registered nurse to administer lethal drugs, a provision that differs from the UK bill, which requires the individual to self-administer an approved substance.
Contrast with UK Parliamentary Stalemate
While Jersey moves forward, the UK's Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, approved by the House of Commons in June, remains bogged down in the House of Lords. Over 1,000 amendments have been tabled, with supporters alleging these are stalling tactics by opponents. Some Lords members argue they are providing necessary scrutiny to strengthen what they view as a dangerous bill. In a related development, Welsh lawmakers gave their consent on Tuesday for the UK Parliament to proceed with the bill, and Scottish lawmakers are scheduled to vote on their own assisted dying legislation in March.
Opposition Concerns and Constitutional Context
Opponents of assisted dying have raised concerns that vulnerable groups, including the disabled, elderly, ill, and depressed, could face pressure to end their lives to avoid being a burden on others. Jersey, an island of approximately 100,000 inhabitants located in the English Channel off the northwest coast of France, is self-governing but relies on the UK for defense and certain foreign affairs. The Isle of Man's approval in March last year has been pending royal assent for nearly a year due to processing by the UK Ministry of Justice, with a government spokesperson noting that complex or sensitive bills often face longer approval times due to legal and constitutional issues.
This divergence highlights the evolving landscape of end-of-life choices within British territories, as Jersey joins the Isle of Man in embracing assisted dying, while the broader UK continues to grapple with legislative hurdles and ethical debates in Parliament.
