Assisted dying cases would no longer have to be signed off by the High Court under changes suggested by the bill’s supporters.The proposed law in England and Wales currently says a High Court judge must check each person is eligible and has not been coerced into making the decision to die.But BBC News has been told Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the bill, will suggest replacing this with a panel of experts who would oversee applications.It comes after concerns were raised over the court’s capacity to hear each individual case.Leadbeater said the changes “will make the system even more robust”.However, some opponents of the bill are likely to criticise the move as watering down its safeguards.If approved, the bill, which is currently being considered by MPs, would allow terminally ill adults expected to die within six months to seek help to end their own life.Under Leadbeater’s proposal, the panel reviewing each application would be chaired by a senior legal figure, but not necessarily a judge, and would also include experts such as psychiatrists and social workers. Their decision could, if necessary, be reviewed the High Court.The panels would be chosen by a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission, led by a High Court judge or senior former judge. The commission would oversee all cases for an assisted death and report annually on the number of applications and how many were approved and rejected.Ministers and officials have been closely consulted on the change, although the government t …
