It is illegal, under Section 2(1) of the 1961 Suicide Act, to encourage or assist the suicide of another person in England and Wales. The law is almost identical in Northern Ireland

This was amended by the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 which states that any person who ‘encourages or assists the suicide of another, or an attempt by another to commit suicide, shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years’

Trying to kill yourself (attempted suicide) is not a criminal act

Euthanasia is regarded as either manslaughter or murder, depending on circumstances. It is punishable by up to life imprisonment

There is no specific law on assisted suicide in Scotland, but anyone assisting the suicide of another person could be prosecuted for murder