UK

Legislation which allows abortion of babies with Down’s syndrome up until birth upheld by Court of Appeal

Legislation which allows abortion of babies with Down's syndrome up until birth upheld by Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal has upheld legislation which allows the abortion of babies with Down’s syndrome up until birth, after a challenge by a woman with the condition.

Heidi Crowter, 27, from Coventry, brought legal action against the Department of Health and Social Care in the hope of removing a section of the Abortion Act.

Judges ruled last September the legislation was not unlawful and aimed to strike a balance between the rights of the unborn child and of women.

The case was reconsidered by the Court of Appeal at a hearing in July.

In a summary of the decision, by Lord Justice Underhill, Lady Justice Thirlwall and Lord Justice Peter Jackson, the judges said the Act does not interfere with the rights of the “living disabled”.