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Family Law
- Health Issues |
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Right to die
A patient has a right to refuse or stop
treatment at any time, even if this means
that s/he may die. A patient cannot however
ask a doctor to take any direct action to
bring about her/his death. If the patient
believes s/he may become so ill that s/he
could no longer make the decision, s/he
should tell the doctor beforehand at what
stage s/he would want treatment to stop.
A patient may wish to draw up a written
document setting out what s/he would want to
happen if s/he became too ill to give
consent to medical treatment. This is known
as an advance directive or living will. Such
a document may not be legally enforceable in
the UK. However, guidelines from the British
Medical Association warn that a doctor who
ignores a living will could face legal
action. |
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| Spotlight on Family Law |
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Divorce
A divorce cannot be applied for until the
couple have been married for at least one
year. There are no exceptions to this rule.
To get divorced in England and Wales, the
marriage must be recognised as valid by
United Kingdom law and one of the partners
must:-
» be living in England or Wales when the
divorce is applied for
» have been living in England or Wales
during the year before the application is
made.
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