2 Criminal liability for complicity in another’s suicide.E+W
[F1(1)A person (“D”) commits an offence if—
(a)D does an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide or attempted suicide of another person, and
(b)D's act was intended to encourage or assist suicide or an attempt at suicide.
(1A)The person referred to in subsection (1)(a) need not be a specific person (or class of persons) known to, or identified by, D.
(1B)D may commit an offence under this section whether or not a suicide, or an attempt at suicide, occurs.
(1C)An offence under this section is triable on indictment and a person convicted of such an offence is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years.]
(2)If on the trial of an indictment for murder or manslaughter [F2of a person it is proved that the deceased person committed suicide, and the accused committed an offence under subsection (1) in relation to that suicide, the jury may find the accused guilty of the offence under subsection (1). ]
(3)The enactments mentioned in the first column of the First Schedule to this Act shall have effect subject to the amendments provided for in the second column (which preserve in relation to offences under this section the previous operation of those enactments in relation to murder or manslaughter).
(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F3no proceedings shall be instituted for an offence under this section except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 2(1)-(1C) substituted for s. 2(1) (1.2.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), ss. 59(2), 182(5) (with s. 180, Sch. 22 para. 7Sch. 22 para. 10); S.I. 2010/145, art. 2(2), Sch. para. 2
F2Words in s. 2(2) substituted (1.2.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), ss. 59(3), 182(5) (with s. 180, Sch. 22 para. 7Sch. 22 para. 10); S.I. 2010/145, art. 2(2), Sch. para. 2
F3 Words repealed by Criminal Law Act 1967 (c. 58) , Sch. 3 Pt. II and Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 (c. 59) , Sch. 6 Pt. I
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1 S. 2 applied (1.2.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25) , s. 182(5) , Sch. 12 para. 1 (with s. 180 ); S.I. 2010/145 , art. 2(2) , Sch. para. 22
C2 S. 2(4) explained by Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 (c. 59) , s. 12