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Abortion guidance ruling expected Anti-abortionists win court bid
(about 4 hours later)
The outcome of a legal challenge to the government's guidelines on abortion in Northern Ireland is expected later. Anti-abortion campaigners have won a High Court challenge to quash government guidelines on abortion in Northern Ireland.
Anti-abortion campaigners want the High Court to quash the current advice, which was published in March this year. The Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child claimed guidance to health professionals was misleading and legally inaccurate.
The campaigners claimed the guidance issued to health professionals was misleading and legally inaccurate. The High Court ruled the Department of Health's guidelines be withdrawn.
The court found the guidelines failed to deal properly with counselling and conscientious objection.
The current advice was published in March this year.
Abortion is illegal in NI, except in limited circumstances where the mother's life or mental well-being are considered at risk.Abortion is illegal in NI, except in limited circumstances where the mother's life or mental well-being are considered at risk.
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children sought the judicial review of the document, which was the first published guide for health professionals in Northern Ireland on terminating pregnancy. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children sought a judicial review of the document, which was the first published guide for health professionals in Northern Ireland on terminating pregnancy.
The Royal College of Midwives has said the guidelines bring greater clarity to the legal position of staff who take part in terminations.The Royal College of Midwives has said the guidelines bring greater clarity to the legal position of staff who take part in terminations.