Click the case name for better results:

Re SG (adult mental patient: abortion): FD 1991

Her GP and a consultant gynaecologist had recommended a termination for a pregnant, severely mentally handicapped 26 year old woman. Following Re F, her father sought a formal declaration of the court was required before any termination. Held: Termination of a pregnancy was already closely regulated by statute which provided ‘fully adequate safeguards for doctors … Continue reading Re SG (adult mental patient: abortion): FD 1991

Acts

1267 – 1278 – 1285 – 1297 – 1361 – 1449 – 1491 – 1533 – 1677 – 1688 – 1689 – 1700 – 1706 – 1710 – 1730 – 1737 – 1738 – 1751 – 1774 – 1792 – 1793 – 1804 – 1814 – 1819 – 1824 – 1828 – 1831 – 1832 … Continue reading Acts

Crowter and Another, Rex (on The Application of) v The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care: CA 25 Nov 2022

The claimant, who suffered Down’s Syndrome, complained that the 1967 Act as amended unlawfully discriminated against her and those like her. Judges: Lord Justice Underhill (Vice-President of the Court of Appeal (Civil Division)) Lady Justice Thirlwall And Lord Justice Peter Jackson Citations: [2022] EWCA Civ 1559 Links: Bailii, Judiciary, Judiciary Summary Statutes: Abortion Act 1967 … Continue reading Crowter and Another, Rex (on The Application of) v The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care: CA 25 Nov 2022

Doogan and Another v NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board: SCS 24 Apr 2013

(Extra Division, Inner House) The reclaimers, Roman Catholic midwives working on a labour ward as co-ordinators, sought to assert a right of conscientious objection under the 1967 Act. The respondents said that only those directly involved in the termination of a pregnancy could assert such a right. Held: The midwives’ appeal succeeded. The Act set … Continue reading Doogan and Another v NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board: SCS 24 Apr 2013

British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Regina (on The Application of) v The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care: CA 10 Mar 2020

correct construction of the words ‘the pregnancy has not exceeded its twenty-fourth week’ in section 1(1)(a) Abortion Act 1967 Judges: Lady Justice Nicola Davies Citations: [2020] EWCA Civ 355 Links: Bailii Statutes: Abortion Act 1967 1(1)(a) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Professions, Crime Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.648604

In re P and Others, (Adoption: Unmarried couple) (Northern Ireland); In re G: HL 18 Jun 2008

The applicants complained that as an unmarried couple they had been excluded from consideration as adopters. Held: Northern Ireland legislation had not moved in the same way as it had for other jurisdictions within the UK. The greater commitment to traditional family structures did not however justify the difference. The rules were unlawful discrimination.Lord Hoffmann … Continue reading In re P and Others, (Adoption: Unmarried couple) (Northern Ireland); In re G: HL 18 Jun 2008

Doogan and Another, Re Judicial Review: SCS 29 Feb 2012

(Outer House, Court of Session) Midwives worked on a labour ward which also had care of patients having later terminations. As sincere Roman Catholics, they sought to assert a right of conscientious objection to allow them to be excused from taking part in the support of such patients. Held: The action failed. Judges: Lady Smith … Continue reading Doogan and Another, Re Judicial Review: SCS 29 Feb 2012

Janaway v Salford Area Health Authority: HL 1 Feb 1988

The plaintiff took work as a secretary at a health centre, but objected to having to type out letters referring patients to an abortion clinic, saying that she conscientiously objected to participation in the process. Held: Her appeal was dismissed. The phrase ‘participate in’ as used in the 1967 Act should be taken to have … Continue reading Janaway v Salford Area Health Authority: HL 1 Feb 1988

LH, Regina (on The Application of) v Shropshire Council: CA 4 Apr 2014

Appeal about the extent of consultation required when a local authority reconfigures its day care services for citizens in its area and then decides to close a day centre. Judges: Longmore, McFarlane, Lewison LJJ Citations: [2014] EWCA Civ 404, [2014] PTSR 1052 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – British Pregnancy Advisory … Continue reading LH, Regina (on The Application of) v Shropshire Council: CA 4 Apr 2014

Baker, Regina (on the Application of) v Devon County Council: CA 21 Dec 1992

The plaintiffs appealed against orders dismissing claims for judicial review. They had challenged the intended closure of residential homes for old people. The plaintiffs said that there had been inadequate consultation, and the Councils argued that review should not be granted where there existed an alternative statutory remedy. Held: In assessing whether or not an … Continue reading Baker, Regina (on the Application of) v Devon County Council: CA 21 Dec 1992

Isle of Anglesey County Council and Another v The Welsh Ministries and others: CA 20 Feb 2009

The claimants, the Commissioners and the County Council, sought declarations to establish their right to build a marina on parts of the foreshore currently used for commercial mussel fishing. Section 40 of the 1868 Act authorised ministers to make orders conferring exclusive rights of several oyster and mussel fishery on ‘grantees’, defined as ‘the persons … Continue reading Isle of Anglesey County Council and Another v The Welsh Ministries and others: CA 20 Feb 2009

Regina (Quintavalle, Prolife Alliance) v British Broadcasting Corporation: CA 14 Mar 2002

The applicant had stood for election, and since there were a sufficient number of candidates for the ProLife Alliance, they sought a party political broadcast. The material they produced was rejected by the respondent and others, as not complying with standards of taste and decency required of all programs. Held: It was difficult to think … Continue reading Regina (Quintavalle, Prolife Alliance) v British Broadcasting Corporation: CA 14 Mar 2002

SC, CB and 8 Children, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Others: SC 9 Jul 2021

The Supreme Court was asked to decide whether the ‘two child limit’, a provision of primary legislation which restricts payment of amounts of subsistence benefit for children to the first two children in a family, is incompatible with the Appellants’ rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. Held:Lord Reed observed that the concept of … Continue reading SC, CB and 8 Children, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Others: SC 9 Jul 2021

Carson and Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 16 Mar 2010

(Grand Chamber) The court ruled admissible claims against the United Kingdom by 13 persons entitled to British State pensions for violation of article 14 of the Convention in combination with article 1 of the First Protocol. All the claimants had earned pensions by working in Britain, but had emigrated to South Africa, Australia or Canada … Continue reading Carson and Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 16 Mar 2010

An NHS Trust v D (Medical Treatment: Consent: Termination): FD 28 Nov 2003

The defendant had been admitted to hospital under the 1983 Act and found to be pregnant. The doctors sought an order permitting an abortion. An order had been made, but the parties invited the court to say whether a court order was required at all. Held: Where there is any doubt as to either capacity … Continue reading An NHS Trust v D (Medical Treatment: Consent: Termination): FD 28 Nov 2003

Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom v Department of Health and Social Security: CA 1981

The College sought clarification of the role to be undertaken by nurses in abortion procedures. Lord Denning MR said: ‘when a pregnancy is terminated by medical induction, who should do the actual act of termination? Should it be done by a doctor? Or can he leave it to the nurses? The Royal College of Nursing … Continue reading Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom v Department of Health and Social Security: CA 1981

Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom v Department of Health and Social Security: HL 2 Jan 1981

The court was asked whether nurses could properly involve themselves in a pregnancy termination procedure not known when the Act was passed, and in particular, whether a pregnancy was ‘terminated by a medical practitioner’, when it was carried out by nurses acting on the instructions of such a practitioner. Held: The phrase ‘treatment for the … Continue reading Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom v Department of Health and Social Security: HL 2 Jan 1981

Bhatt Murphy (a firm), Regina (on the application of) v The Independent Assessor: CA 9 Jul 2008

The appellants each challenged alterations to the scheme for compensation of the victims of miscarriages of justice. Held: Laws LJ emphasised the special nature of the promise or practice which was necessary to give rise to a substantive legitimate expectation, saying: ‘Authority shows that where a substantive expectation is to run the promise or practice … Continue reading Bhatt Murphy (a firm), Regina (on the application of) v The Independent Assessor: CA 9 Jul 2008

Regina v Special Adjudicator ex parte Ullah; Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 17 Jun 2004

The applicants had had their requests for asylum refused. They complained that if they were removed from the UK, their article 3 rights would be infringed. If they were returned to Pakistan or Vietnam they would be persecuted for their religious faiths. Held: A distinction was to be made between domestic cases involving actions within … Continue reading Regina v Special Adjudicator ex parte Ullah; Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 17 Jun 2004

Hubert, Regina (on The Application of) v Director of Public Prosecutions and Another: Admn 18 Dec 2015

The claimant sought judicial review of a decision of the DPP to intervene in and abandon her private prosecution of two doctors involved n what she said was a decision to carry out abortions which decsions were affected by the sex of the foetus. At the instigation of a newspapers, two women had attended clinics … Continue reading Hubert, Regina (on The Application of) v Director of Public Prosecutions and Another: Admn 18 Dec 2015

Christian Concern, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care: CA 25 Sep 2020

In proceedings for judicial review the appellant challenged the ‘Approval of a Class of Places’ within the Abortion Act 1967 as amended made by the Secretary of State on 30 March 2020. This approves the ‘home of a pregnant woman’ as being a place which is authorised for the purpose of section 1 of the … Continue reading Christian Concern, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care: CA 25 Sep 2020

Regina (Smeaton) v Secretary of State for Health and Others: Admn 18 Apr 2002

The claimant challenged the Order as regards the prescription of the morning-after pill, asserting that the pill would cause miscarriages, and that therefore the use would be an offence under the 1861 Act. Held: ‘SPUC’s case is that any interference with a fertilised egg, if it leads to the loss of the egg, involves the … Continue reading Regina (Smeaton) v Secretary of State for Health and Others: Admn 18 Apr 2002

Crowter and Others, Regina (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Health And Social Care: Admn 23 Sep 2021

Foetus has no Established Human Rights The Claimants sought a declaration that section 1(1)(d) of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights (‘ECHR’), as well as some other remedies. The claimant had Down’s Syndrome, and complained the readiness to abort foetuses with identified Down’s genes – more … Continue reading Crowter and Others, Regina (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Health And Social Care: Admn 23 Sep 2021

Department of Health, Regina (on The Application of) v Information Commissioner: Admn 20 Apr 2011

The department appealed against an order requiring it to disclose statistical information about late abortions. The department argued that the numbers involved were such that the individual patients involved mighty be identified, and that therefore the information constituted personal data and was exempt under section 40 of the 2000 Act. The claimant had altered its … Continue reading Department of Health, Regina (on The Application of) v Information Commissioner: Admn 20 Apr 2011

Greater Glasgow Health Board v Doogan and Another: SC 17 Dec 2014

Roman Catholic Midwives, working as Labour Ward Co-ordinators had objected to being involved in an administrative capacity in abortions being conducted by the appellants. The Outer House had said they were not entitled to opt out, but the Inner House had declared that ‘the petitioners’ entitlement to conscientious objection to participation in treatment for termination … Continue reading Greater Glasgow Health Board v Doogan and Another: SC 17 Dec 2014

British Pregnancy Advisory Service v Secretary of State for Health: Admn 14 Feb 2011

The claimant sought a declaration that the administration of an abortifacient drug was not ‘any treatment for the termination of pregnancy’ for the purposes of section 1 of the 1967 Act, allowing the piloting and possible adoption of early medical abortions in part self-administered. Held: The request was refused. Parliament had passed the Act aware … Continue reading British Pregnancy Advisory Service v Secretary of State for Health: Admn 14 Feb 2011

British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care: Admn 5 Jun 2019

Abortion Time Limit statement was correct. The Court considered ‘ the correct interpretation of the words, ‘the pregnancy has not exceeded its twenty-fourth week’ in s.1(1)(a) of the Abortion Act 1967 ‘ The guidance was challenged as the calculations. The date of the beginning of the pregnancy was usually taken from the date of the … Continue reading British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care: Admn 5 Jun 2019

Bloomsbury International Ltd v Sea Fish Industry Authority and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: SC 15 Jun 2011

The 1995 Regulations imposed a levy on fish both caught and first landed in the UK and also on imported fish products. The claimants, importers challenged the validity of the latter charges, saying that they went beyond the power given by the 1981 Act, and also were contrary to EU law. Held: The appeal succeeded. … Continue reading Bloomsbury International Ltd v Sea Fish Industry Authority and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: SC 15 Jun 2011

Attorney-General’s Reference (No 3 of 1994): HL 24 Jul 1997

The defendant stabbed a pregnant woman. The child was born prematurely and died. The attack had been directed at the mother, and the proper offence was manslaughter. Held: The only questions which need to be addressed are (1) whether the act was done intentionally, (2) whether it was unlawful, (3) whether it was also dangerous … Continue reading Attorney-General’s Reference (No 3 of 1994): HL 24 Jul 1997

Boso v Italy: ECHR 5 Sep 2002

The applicant was married. In 1984 his wife, who was pregnant, decided to have an abortion despite his opposition. Her pregnancy was terminated on 10 October 1984.
On 8 November 1984 the applicant brought an action against his wife in the San . .

Benjamin, Vanderpool and Gumbs v The Minister of Information and Broadcasting and The Attorney General for Anguilla: PC 14 Feb 2001

PC (Anguilla) A first non-religious radio station had been formed, but came to include much criticism of the government. One programme was suspended by the government. The programme makers complained that this interfered with their constitutioinal and human rights to freedom of thought, freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination. Held: The motive in closing … Continue reading Benjamin, Vanderpool and Gumbs v The Minister of Information and Broadcasting and The Attorney General for Anguilla: PC 14 Feb 2001

Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003

The respondent appealed against a finding that the provision which made a loan agreement completely invalid for lack of compliance with the 1974 Act was itself invalid under the Human Rights Act since it deprived the respondent lender of its property rights. It was also argued that it was not possible to make a declaration … Continue reading Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003

Sporrong and Lonnroth v Sweden: ECHR 23 Sep 1982

Balance of Interests in peaceful enjoyment claim (Plenary Court) The claimants challenged orders expropriating their properties for redevelopment, and the banning of construction pending redevelopment. The orders remained in place for many years. Held: Article 1 comprises three distinct rules: the first rule, set out in the first sentence of the first paragraph, is general … Continue reading Sporrong and Lonnroth v Sweden: ECHR 23 Sep 1982

Marckx v Belgium: ECHR 13 Jun 1979

Recognition of illegitimate children The complaint related to the manner in which parents were required to adopt their own illegitimate child in order to increase his rights. Under Belgian law, no legal bond between an unmarried mother and her child results from the mere fact of birth. A recognised ‘illegitimate’ child’s rights of inheritance on … Continue reading Marckx v Belgium: ECHR 13 Jun 1979

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v M: HL 8 Mar 2006

The respondent’s child lived with the estranged father for most of each week. She was obliged to contribute child support. She now lived with a woman, and complained that because her relationship was homosexual, she had been asked to pay more than someone in a heterosexual relationship. Held: The claim failed. The regulations had now … Continue reading Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v M: HL 8 Mar 2006

Regina v Secretary of State for Health ex parte Quintavalle (on behalf of Pro-Life Alliance): HL 13 Mar 2003

Court to seek and Apply Parliamentary Intention The appellant challenged the practice of permitting cell nuclear replacement (CNR), saying it was either outside the scope of the Act, or was for a purpose which could not be licensed under the Act. Held: The challenge failed. The court was to give effect to the intentions of … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Health ex parte Quintavalle (on behalf of Pro-Life Alliance): HL 13 Mar 2003

A v Secretary of State for the Home Department, and X v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 16 Dec 2004

The applicants had been imprisoned and held without trial, being suspected of international terrorism. No criminal charges were intended to be brought. They were foreigners and free to return home if they wished, but feared for their lives if they did. A British subject, who was suspected in the exact same way, and there were … Continue reading A v Secretary of State for the Home Department, and X v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 16 Dec 2004

Rex v Bourne: 1939

An eminent surgeon openly in a public hospital operated to terminate the pregnancy of a 14 year old girl who had become pregnant in consequence of a violent rape.
Held: The court suggested when summing up that there might be a duty in certain . .

More Recent Cases

This is a continuation of the list of significant recent cases on our front page. As a most recent case pushes its way to the top, the last on teh front page falls into here. Newest significant cases.