Lawyers Acting For Family React To ‘Tragic’ Case

Specialist lawyers representing a family challenging the opinion of medical professionals who want to take their young son off a life-support machine have said the case demonstrates the incredibly difficult cases which the courts are asked to intervene in.

Irwin Mitchell’s Public Law team are acting for the loved ones of a one-year-old boy who specialists believe has profound irreversible brain damage, with doctors also stating it is in the child’s best interests for intensive care support to be withdrawn.

The NHS Hospital Trust caring for their son, who was born prematurely by emergency Caesarean section, applied to the court seeking a declaration from the court that it would be lawful for doctors to withdraw treatment which would bring an end to his life.

In a ruling handed down today (September 30th), Ms Justice Russell stated that it was in the child’s best interests to be taken off life support.

Yogi Amin, Head of Irwin Mitchell’s specialist Public Law team, represented the family in this case.

Expert Opinion

The courts are charged to make these very difficult decisions where there is a dispute between the parent and clinicians over serious medical issues. This is a tragic and incredibly sensitive case.

"The child's parents have a very good relationship with the medical team but differed in her view on whether life support should continue.

"The family are desperately upset and devastated and will now want to come to terms with the court’s decision and grieve for their son." Yogi Amin - Partner and National Head of Public Law and Human Rights