Dr Mary Neal of Strathclyde Law School has been appointed as Adviser to the lead Parliamentary Committee scrutinising the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill. The Bill, which is currently before the Scottish Parliament, proposes to decriminalise assisted suicide for certain groups of patients.

Dr Neal, whose research focuses on healthcare law and ethics, and particularly on beginning and end of life issues, will support the Health and Sport Committee when it comes to scrutinise the Bill in detail later in the year.

Speaking about her advisory role Dr Neal said,

"I am looking forward to supporting the Committee in its important work on the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill this year. The subject-matter of the Bill obviously raises very important questions of law, ethics and policy, the analysis of which will be a significant task for all involved in the Committee stage."

A call for written evidence has been issued and responses are invited until 6th June 2014.

Get more details about the Bill (including the text of the Bill and accompanying materials).

Find out more about the guidance on the submission of written evidence.