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United Kingdom

R v Adams (Bodily Autonomy)

[1957] Crim LR 365
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom
Year1957
Statusunclear

Key Principle

Devlin J directed that a doctor who administers pain-relieving drugs knowing they will shorten life does not commit murder if the primary intention is to relieve pain (the doctrine of double effect).

Area of Law

criminal

Related Cases

Pell v The Queen (2020) 268 CLR 123
Smethurst v Commissioner of Police (2020) 272 CLR 177
De Silva v The Queen (2019) 268 CLR 57

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