Archie Battersbee appeal hearing due to begin today
Archie's parents are appealing a decision which ruled the 12 year old, from Southend, is likely 'dead'
Last updated 29th Jun 2022
The parents of a 12 year old boy from Southend, who’s at the centre of a life-support treatment fight, are today due to begin their appeal against a High Court judge’s ruling that he is likely 'dead'.
Archie Battersbee suffered brain damage in April following an incident at his home in Southend and has been in a coma ever since.
A judge recently ruled that doctors could switch off his life support machine as he is likely 'dead' but his parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, are appealing the ruling in the Court of Appeal in London.
The chance to appeal was granted by Mrs Justice Arbuthnot, after a barrister leading Archie's parents' legal team argued that the judge's initial decision had been made on a balance of probabilities, when, given it's such an important decision, doctors should be required to demonstrate that Archie is dead “beyond reasonable doubt”, rather than just 'likely' to be dead.
Archie's parents say his heart is still beating and want treatment to continue.