Family of Southend boy ruled as 'dead' by judge prepare to appeal
Archie Battersbee has been unconscious since April
Last updated 20th Jun 2022
The family of 12 year-old Archie Battersbee from Southend is preparing to appeal against a Judge who ruled the boy had 'died' and that life-support treatment should end.
Archie's been unconscious since an incident at home back in April and Doctors went to the High Court to get permission to end treatment - something a Judge ruled in favour of.
But his parents want to see him given more time.
Archie’s parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, from Southend, Essex, say the youngster’s heart is still beating and want treatment to continue.
Mrs Justice Arbuthnot, based in the Family Division of the High Court in London, ruled on Monday that Archie, who suffered brain damage, was dead and doctors could lawfully stop treating him.
Relatives said they wanted Court of Appeal judges to consider the case.
A spokesman for campaign organisation the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting Archie’s family, said relatives will ask Mrs Justice Arbuthnot to give them the go-ahead to mount an appeal in the Family Division of the High Court today.
Relatives must first establish that they have an arguable case and gain permission to appeal, before an appeal hearing is staged.
Lawyers representing the Royal London Hospital’s governing trust, Barts Health NHS Trust, had asked Mrs Justice Arbuthnot to decide what moves were in Archie’s best interests.
She considered evidence at a trial earlier this month.