This chapter examines the concepts of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) and the law and regulation that govern it. The chapter begins by defining VAD and outlining why this term was chosen, given the range of terminology choices in this field. It then examines what is meant by law, regulation and practice in the context of VAD. 

It outlines the book for which this chapter serves as an introduction. It describes the book's objective to comprehensively examine the field of VAD internationally and outlines its four parts: international perspectives on VAD with chapters on each country where this practice is lawful; frontiers of VAD law, regulation and practice; reflections on the regulation of VAD and societal control of it; and normative perspectives on VAD from a diverse set of viewpoints.