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Charlie Gard’s parents are preparing for the latest stage of their legal fight over treatment for the terminally ill baby.

A judge is listed to further analyse issues at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London on Friday (July 21).

Chris Gard and Connie Yates want Mr Justice Francis to rule that their 11-month-old son, who suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage, should be allowed to undergo a therapy trial overseen by a specialist in New York.

Specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London, where Charlie is being cared for, say the therapy is experimental and will not help.

They say life support treatment should stop.

Charlie’s parents, who are in their 30s and come from Bedfont, have already lost battles in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in London .

They have also failed to persuade European Court of Human Rights judges to intervene.

But the couple say there is new evidence and want Mr Justice Francis, who in April ruled in favour of Great Ormond Street and said Charlie should be allowed to die with dignity, to carry out a fresh analysis of their case.

Mr Justice Francis has considered the couple’s new claims at preliminary hearings.

Last week, he suggested that the American specialist - Michio Hirano, a professor of neurology at the Columbia University Medical Centre in New York - should travel to London to meet Great Ormond Street doctors and other clinicians.

Dr Hirano examined Charlie and discussed his case while visiting GOSH on Monday and Tuesday (July 17 and 18).

Court listings indicated that Friday’s hearing would last less than two hours.

Lawyers representing GOSH and Charlie’s parents are expected to update the judge on discussions held at the hospital.

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Court rises until next week

The court will sit again on Monday (July 24) at 10pm.

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GOSH lawyer makes clear Charlie cannot travel without court order

Katie Gollop QC, counsel for Great Ormond Street Hospital asked the judge to confirm that the parents cannot take Charlie abroad without a court order, despite US residency - which the Judge confirmed.

She also told the court: “There’s no impediment to Charlie’s parents inspecting his (medical) notes.”

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Protesters chanted and caused disruption at previous hearings

At previous hearings, campaigners asked passers-by to ‘beep for Charlie’ and chanted with megaphones.

Supporters of the Charlie Gard family gather outside the Royal Courts of Justice
Supporters of the Charlie Gard family gather outside the Royal Courts of Justice (Image: Getty Images Europe)
Charlie Gard supporters outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London
Charlie Gard supporters outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London (Image: PA)
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Protesters have warned against causing disruption at the next hearing

Mr Justice Francis appeals to supporters of Charlie Gard not to stage noisy demonstrations and seek signatures for petition outside GOSH.

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Lawyers for GOSH 'disappointed' they haven't seen new evidence

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Connie Yates and Chris Gard could speak in court

Mr Justice Francis told the court:

“If Charlie’s parents want to give further oral evidence next week I won’t stop them.”

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Lawyers update judge of meeting and MRI scan

Today’s hearing is a short procedural hearing ahead of the two-day hearing planned for next week.

In the hearing on Friday (July 21) it was confirmed that Great Ormond Street Hospital’s multi-disciplinary meeting went ahead and has been transcribed.

A further MRI scan on Charlie’s brain was carried out yesterday.

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Parents arrive at court

Charlie Gard's parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard arrive at the Royal Courts of Justice in London
Charlie Gard's parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard arrive at the Royal Courts of Justice in London (Image: PA)

Charlie Gard’s parents have arrived at court as they continue their fight for treatment for their son.

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