Abortion Act 1967

สรุป

The Abortion Act 1967 sets out the circumstances in which a termination of pregnancy is lawful in England, Wales, and Scotland; it does not extend to Northern Ireland (where abortion was decriminalised separately in 2019–2020). Under s.1 a termination is lawful where two registered medical practitioners are of the opinion, formed in good faith, that one of the statutory grounds applies — most commonly that continuing the pregnancy would involve a greater risk to the physical or mental health of the woman (or her existing children) than termination, up to 24 weeks. There is no time limit for the grounds concerning grave permanent injury, risk to the woman's life, or a substantial risk of serious fetal abnormality. Treatment must normally be carried out by a registered medical practitioner in an NHS hospital or approved place, and s.4 preserves a right of conscientious objection to participating in treatment.

ประเด็นสำคัญ

• Lawful where two doctors certify in good faith that a statutory ground applies; the main 'health' ground (s.1(1)(a)) has a 24-week limit
• No time limit where termination prevents grave permanent injury, risk to the woman's life, or for substantial risk of serious fetal abnormality (s.1(1)(b)-(d))
• Must normally be carried out by a registered medical practitioner in an NHS hospital or approved place
• Conscientious objection — no person is under a legal duty to participate in treatment, except to save life or prevent grave injury (s.4)
• Applies in England, Wales, and Scotland — not Northern Ireland

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