Anti-abortion group in legal bid

Abortion is illegal in NI unless a woman's life is at risk

A legal challenge to government guidelines on abortion in Northern Ireland has begun at the High Court.

Anti-abortion campaigners want the High Court to quash the current advice which was published in March this year.

The campaigners claim the guidance issued to health professionals is misleading and legally inaccurate.

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 (SPUC) is seeking a High Court declaration that the government guidance does not properly set out the law.

'Confusion'

A lawyer for the group told the court on Tuesday that the guidelines contained legal errors, were vague in relation to consent and misrepresented the law in Northern Ireland.

He said the result of this was that confusion still remained in such a vital area.

The hearing is due to last two days and it is expected that Lord Justice Girvan will reserve his decision.

During the first stage of its legal battle, lawyers for SPUC claimed the guidance also fails to deal with the rights of the unborn child and provided inadequate advice for conscientious objectors within the medical profession.

The Department of Health's legal representatives rejected allegations it had failed to make clear that abortion was illegal in Northern Ireland apart from in the most exceptional circumstances.

It was also stressed that the document was for health workers rather than the general public.