Charlie Gard court hearing: Parents end court fight over treatment for terminally-ill son

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It was a dramatic day at the High Court today.

We started the day expecting a full day of hearings starting at 10am, but this was rescheduled to 2pm and we were told to expect a decision on Tuesday (July 25).

Supporters gathered outside the court and cheered Chris Gard and Connie Yates in, but moments later they were in tears at the news that Charlie’s parents had decided to call off the proceedings.

The hospital also issued a full statement on the case.

Charlie is expected to day within a few days, not likely to make his first birthday on Friday (August 4).

Thanks for joining us and you can recap how the day’s events unfolded below.

Great Ormond Street's response

For more details about the Great Ormond Street statement on the case read our full article.

Charlie's parents speak after their ordeal

The court case is over now and Charlie’s parents plan to spend as much time with him as possible.

They spoke outside the High Court after making the surprise decision to end the court case, on the advice of the American Neurologist who wanted to treat Charlie.

Why GOSH fought the case

Katie Gollop QC concluded by explaining why GOSH chose to fight the parents’ wishes.

Every day that passed was a day that was not in his best interests.

Charlie’s has been an existence devoid of all benefit and pleasure.

All of GOSH’s thoughts go with Charlie and his mother and father - the hospital wishes each of them peace in their hearts at the end of this day and each day to come.

The crux of the dispute

The statement, read outside the court by Katie Gollop QC continues:

No animal or human with Charlie’s condition, RRM2B deficiency (“RRM2B”), has been treated with NBT.

Shortly before the planned ethics committee application, he suffered increased seizure frequency and likely severe epileptic encephalopathy.

The entire treating team formed the view that Charlie had suffered irreversible neurological damage and that as a result, any chance that NBT might have 3 had of benefitting Charlie had departed.

Charlie’s parents believe that his brain was not damaged, that it was normal on MRI scan in January and that treatment could have been effective at that time during the months that followed.

There remains no agreement on these issues.

GOSH treats patients and not scans.

Great Ormond Street Hospital speaks out

The internationally renowned children’s hospital at the centre of the Charlie Gard case has spoken out now that the case against them has been dropped.

“The hearts of all at GOSH go out to Connie Yates and Chris Gard” the statement begins.

They feel now, and perhaps will feel for some long time to come, that if only GOSH had treated Charlie months ago, they would have been spared the impossible decision they make now.

These deeply affecting questions deserve answers. From the moment of his diagnosis at GOSH, Charlie’s prognosis was known to be bleak.

What's happened today?

It has been a very eventful afternoon at the High Court.

Charlie’s parents chose to drop a five month long legal battle which garnered mass international media attention.

To find out why and for more details find our story here.

"Sorry we couldn't save you"

In an emotional statement after their shock decision to drop their legal case, Charlie Gard’s parents apologised to him for not saving him.

This is one of the hardest things that we will ever have to say and we are about to do the hardest thing that we’ll ever have to do, which is to let our beautiful little Charlie go,” Connie Yates told the packed courtroom.

We are sorry we could not save you.”

Grant Armstrong, the family’s lawyer, said the case was “worthy of a Greek tragedy”.

What happens next?

The lawyer for added that the family will now be setting up a foundation so that Charlie’s voice “continues to be heard”.

Supporters of the fight from across the world raised over £1.3m to allow Charlie to travel to the US for treatment which we now know he is unable to have.

"The parents worst nightmare have been confirmed"

The family’s lawyer added that “The parents worst nightmare have been confirmed” when they realised Charlie was not able to receive the treatment.

American neurologist Dr Michio Hirano had offered Charlie’s parents the experimental nucleoside therapy.

He travelled to the UK to assess Charlie but has now withdrawn his offer of treatment.

He told Charlie’s parents that Charlie was not well enough to be eligible for the treatment.

Supporters outside the High Court react to the decision

A legion of followers and supporters who have backed the family of Charlie Gard over the last five months have reacted in shock, disbelief and sadness at the decision to end the legal fight.

They had gathered outside the High Court cheering and singing songs. They had greeted Chris Gard and Connie Yates with “Justice for Charlie” chants.

Supporters of the family had helped them raise £1.3million in around a month for the experimental treatment.

American doctor says time had run out

The parents of Charlie Gard made their surprise decision after the doctor who travelled to the UK to assess Charlie told them the treatment would not work.

Grant Armstrong, the couple’s lawyer said the doctor told the parents it is too late for the experimental nucleoside therapy.

The lengthy battle is over

Charlie’s parents first came to the High Court in London five month ago when doctors at GOSH decided that Charlie should be allowed to die and not receive experimental treatment in America.

Since then they have gone to the Court of Appeals, Supreme Court and the European Courts of Justice but were repeatedly denied the chance to take Charlie for the treatment.

International debate was sparked when two of the most famous men on earth, Pope Francis and Donald Trump, lent their support to Charlie’s fight.

Today the parents of the terminally ill baby returned to the court where they started and called off the legal battle.

Charlie's parents call off legal battle

Charlie Gard’s parents have put a stop to their legal battle with Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The couple told the court that their five month battle with the doctors in charge of their son is now over.

Connie Yates waves to thank supporters for showing up

Charlie’s mother and Bedfont resident Connie Yates waved to thanks supporters as she entered the court.

Tens of people have gathered in blue t-shirts to cheer and sing songs.

They chanted “Justice for Charlie” as the couple walked in.

Ms Yates wore a blue flower in her hair in support of her son.

Campaigners sing songs of support

A group of around 20 supporters of Charlie have gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice on The Strand to show support to the family.

They are singing songs and cheering in the hopes of a favourable decision by the judge.

Charlie's parents arrive at the High Court

The hearing has now begun

Charlie’s mother Connie Yates wiped away her tears as she entered yet another court room.

All the latest

You can find the latest update on the court case here, but be sure to keep checking this page for updates and developments from Courtroom 50.

Public Opinion

Over the last five months this case has captivated the public with a #CharliesArmy forming who believe his arents should be able to take their child to America for experimental treatment.

Supporters of the Gard family have even raised around £1.3million to pay for the treatment and transport.

Meanwhile, Doctors and staff at GOSH have been threatened by members of the public over their stance that Charlie should be allow to die and that he would not benefit from the experimental treatment.

Proceedings about to begin

Mr Justice Francis is about to hear ‘fresh evidence’ in Court 50 at the High Court in London.

The hearing was supposed to begin at 10am but was postponed to start at 2pm.

The judge, who first ruled in the case five months ago, plans to make his decision tomorrow.