Three-Way Challenge Is Made To Hospital's Refusal To Transfer Tafida Raqeeb To Italy

The High Court will today begin hearing evidence on the best interests of Tafida Raqeeb. Her family and the hospital treating her take opposing views on whether it is in her best interests to continue to receive life-sustaining treatment. Her family – and litigation friend – continue to press for life-sustaining treatment to be continued. Vikram Sachdeva Q.C. and Nicola Kohn are instructed on behalf of Tafida by her litigation friend. Alan Bates of Monckton Chambers is also instructed.

The hearing is part of concurrent proceedings which began with a three-day judicial review on Monday 9 September as to whether it was lawful for the hospital to block the family's attempt to transfer their daughter to the Gaslini Hospital in Genoa, Italy, in order to continue to receive life-sustaining treatment there.

Judgment on that issue has been reserved.

The case is attracting widespread media attention. See BBC News; Sky News; The Guardian.