The Isle of Man’s Assisted Dying Bill has been granted Royal Assent, marking a major milestone for the landmark legislation.
The announcement was made by President of Tynwald Juan Watterson during this morning’s sitting of the island’s parliament.
Mr Watterson confirmed the Bill received Royal Assent on Friday, October 16.
The Assisted Dying Bill 2023 was introduced as a Private Member’s Bill by former Ramsey MHK Dr Alex Allinson and passed through Tynwald in March 2025, making the Isle of Man the first jurisdiction in the British Isles to pass legislation to legalise assisted dying.
However, its progress was delayed after the UK Ministry of Justice raised concerns about whether the legislation contained sufficient safeguards to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights.
In June this year, Tynwald approved a series of amendments intended to address those concerns, including strengthened protections for vulnerable people and provisions allowing a person to withdraw their request for assisted dying at any stage.
The amended Bill was subsequently resubmitted for Royal Assent.
The development follows Jersey’s assisted dying legislation receiving Royal Assent earlier this year, making it the first jurisdiction in the British Isles to have its law approved.
The news has prompted strong reactions from both supporters and opponents of assisted dying, with campaigners describing it as a historic moment while others have raised concerns about the legislation and its safeguards.
