In the heart of Nottingham, at the Queen's Medical Centre, the life of eight-and-a-half-month-old Indi Gregory became the focal point of a profound ethical and medical struggle. Born on February 24, 2023, Indi faced the challenges of mitochondrial disease, a genetic condition that drains energy from the body's cells.

The paediatric intensive care unit at Queen's Medical Centre became the forum where medical specialists advocated for the withdrawal of treatment. At the same time, Indi's parents, Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth, stood firm in their resolve to fight for their daughter's life.

The disagreement as to Indi’s future reached the courts, igniting a legal process that underscored the delicate balance family courts must maintain when a child's well-being hangs in the balance. Throughout the proceedings, the family court, entrusted with the solemn duty of safeguarding the child's best interests, had to navigate the space between specialists' medical advice and the parents' unwavering determination.

On September 7 2023, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, sought permission to withhold specific intense medical treatments, citing the excruciating pain Indi was enduring and the seemingly incurable nature of her medical conditions. The trust's medical experts argued that Indi's time left to live was short, and her interactions with the world were diminishing.

Indi's parents, whilst acknowledging their daughter's fragility and limited life expectancy,  adamantly asserted that signs of improvement and meaningful interactions were evident. They contested the notion that Indi experienced severe pain, emphasising the value of her life despite the burdens of treatment.  At times in the proceedings, they sought permission to transfer Indi to the Bambino Gesù Paediatric Hospital in Rome (under the jurisdiction of the Holy See).

The court hearings continued until November 10, 2023, when the Court of Appeal refused Indi’s father’s appeal of Peel J’s High Court decision to allow medics to withdraw invasive treatment lawfully in hospice. With great empathy and consideration, this marked a poignant moment where the family court agreed with the medical experts' assessment of Indi's condition, emphasising the paramount importance of her best interests.

On Sunday, November 12, 2023, Indi Gregory's life-support treatment was withdrawn, and in the early hours of Monday, November 13, she peacefully passed away. The difficult decision made by the family court echoed the inherent challenges faced in such cases, where the court must weigh medical expertise against a parent's unwavering love and hope.

In reflecting on this emotionally charged journey, it becomes clear that family courts are responsible for making decisions that are not only legally sound but also compassionate. The plight of Indi Gregory and her devoted parents serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding end-of-life decisions and the delicate balance family courts must strike in the pursuit of justice, holding the child's well-being over all else.