Evidence boundary
Dignity in Dying is an advocacy body. The CPS and Parliament are the authorities for current law and bill status; support and opposition cross worldview boundaries.
GCSE case study · Life and Death
Dignity in Dying and the changing legal context
The Dignity in Dying campaign makes it possible to distinguish an ethical argument for legal change from the law as it currently stands.
01 · Case
Case outline
Dignity in Dying campaigns for a safeguarded legal choice for terminally ill, mentally competent adults; that is advocacy, not law. When the record was checked on 22 August 2026, encouraging or assisting suicide remained an offence under section 2 of the Suicide Act 1961 in England and Wales. The 2024–26 bill had fallen, while a new 2026–27 bill had been introduced with second reading scheduled for 11 September 2026.
The case brings autonomy and compassion into tension with objections about protecting life. It also requires a distinction between argument and legal status: the campaign explains its position, while the CPS and Parliament are the authorities for law and bill progress. Support and opposition cross worldview boundaries, and the legal position must be rechecked before use.
02 · Establish
Secure what the evidence can establish
Start with the boundary, then attach every claim to its receipt.
- 01 · source fact
Dignity in Dying advocates a safeguarded legal choice for terminally ill, mentally competent adults; this is a campaign position, not the law.
Sources: Dignity in Dying - 02 · source fact
As checked on 18 August 2026, encouraging or assisting suicide remains an offence under section 2 of the Suicide Act 1961 in England and Wales, with prosecution decisions applying evidence and public-interest tests.
Sources: Crown Prosecution Service - 03 · source fact
The 2024-26 bill fell, and a new 2026-27 bill had been introduced with second reading scheduled for 11 September 2026; this status must be rechecked before use.
Sources: House of Commons Library
03 · Test
Challenge the easy version
Use the language carefully, find the tempting errors and inspect the complete evidence trail.
Concepts
assisted dyingautonomycompassionsanctity of lifequality of lifelaw
Misconceptions
01. Assisted dying is already generally legal in England and Wales.
02. Dignity in Dying states neutral law.
03. Every Humanist supports and every Christian or Buddhist opposes legal change.
Evidence trail
Open the sources
Test the claims above and notice what each source can — and cannot — show.
- Our position on assisted dying
Dignity in Dying · advocacy position
Use only for the campaign position; law comes from CPS and Parliament. Checked 2026-08-18. - Assisted suicide
Crown Prosecution Service · official legal
Current prosecution guidance for England and Wales; recheck before teaching. Checked 2026-08-18. - Terminally ill adults end of life bills
House of Commons Library · official parliamentary
Bill status changes; recheck immediately before use. Checked 2026-08-18. - GCSE Religious Studies Route A specification, Version 4
Eduqas · assessment authority
Controls required content; it is not evidence that every named view is uncontested. Checked 2026-08-18.
04 · Apply
Turn evidence into an answer
Attempt each question in your notes or on paper before opening its indicative guidance.
- 01 · Assessment objective 1 · 2 marks
State two accurate facts about Dignity in Dying and the changing legal context.
Indicative guidance
Credit two distinct, source-supported facts. Do not credit an organisation claim as independently verified impact.
- 02 · Assessment objective 1 · 5 marks
Explain how Dignity in Dying and the changing legal context connects with assisted dying, autonomy, compassion, sanctity of life, quality of life, law.
Indicative guidance
Develop at least two accurate case-to-concept links. Naming a concept without explaining the link is insufficient.
- 03 · source_analysis · 4 marks
What can one source in this fact file establish, and what can it not establish on its own?
Indicative guidance
Identify the source and type, make one supported utility point and one precise limitation. Generic claims that a source is biased earn no credit without explanation.
- 04 · Assessment objective 2 · 15 marks
'Respect for autonomy is the strongest argument for legal assisted dying.' Evaluate this statement.
Indicative guidance
Use the case accurately as evidence, test more than one perspective and reach a justified conclusion. Case knowledge is evidence, not a substitute for reasoning.
Guidance is indicative, not an official mark scheme. This page does not collect or save answers.