What is the current law on the provision of abortion care services in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland is excluded from the Abortion Act (1967) and abortions are not allowed there unless under special circumstances, such as if the woman has a serious medical or psychological condition that would jeopardise her life if the pregnancy is continued; or if a fetal abnormality is detected and this in turn threatens the life of the mother and has a serious affect on her physical or mental health. The law in Northern Ireland relating to abortion is contained in sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and section 25(1) of the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1945. It is unclear at what gestations such abortions may be performed and no official abortion statistics are collected.
