UK abortion law : Private Members' Bills, devolution and the role of the courts

Taylor, Robert and Wilson, Adelyn L. M. (2019) UK abortion law : Private Members' Bills, devolution and the role of the courts. Modern Law Review, 82 (1). pp. 71-104. ISSN 1468-2230 (https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2230.12389)

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Abstract

UK abortion law remains unsettled, and subject to on-going controversy and reform. This article offers a comprehensive critique of all reforms implemented or proposed since 2016. It examines reforms proposed in both Houses of Parliament and contextualises them within a public law analysis, showing both that the complex parliamentary processes relating to Private Members’ Bills have frustrated reform attempts, and that these attempts have been contradictory in their aims between the two Houses. Secondly, it examines the unique positions of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to show the extent to which devolutionary settlements have influenced both reforms and executive involvement. Finally, it examines the potential impact of the courts on abortion law following Re Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's Application for Judicial Review, showing that the Supreme Court's reframing of the debate in human rights terms is likely to affect abortion law, not only in Northern Ireland, but in the whole of the UK.

  • Item type:Article
    ID code:86382
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    4 January 2019
    Published
    1 October 2018
    Accepted
    Notes:© 2019 The Author. The Modern Law Review © 2019 The Modern Law Review Limited. Taylor, R.B. and Wilson, A.L.M. (2019), UK Abortion Law: Reform Proposals, Private Members’ Bills, Devolution and the Role of the Courts. The Modern Law Review, 82: 71-104. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2230.12389
    Subjects:Law
    Department:Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) > Strathclyde Law School > Law
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:03 Aug 2023 13:09
    Last modified:22 Apr 2024 00:56
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/86382
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