The Abortion Act 1967
A Biography of a UK Law

Biography of the Abortion Act, exploring how it was shaped by and shaped a changing UK.

Sally Sheldon (Author), Gayle Davis (Author), Jane O'Neill (Author), Clare Parker (Author)

9781108733656, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 July 2023

362 pages
24.5 x 17 x 2.1 cm, 0.639 kg

'This book may be of interest to scholars working on abortion topics from a variety of disciplines (eg. Law, History and Sociology) given the emphasis on the life of the legislation in its social and cultural context in the book and its use of both historical and socio-legal research methods. … In summary, this book demonstrates that the Abortion Act 1967 is a 'living law' … Throughout the book, the authors note that the meaning of the Abortion Act 1967 will continue to evolve.' Emily Ottley, Medical Law Review

The Abortion Act 1967 may be the most contested law in UK history, sitting on a fault line between the shifting tectonic plates of a rapidly transforming society. While it has survived repeated calls for its reform, with its text barely altered for over five decades, women's experiences of accessing abortion services under it have evolved considerably. Drawing on extensive archival research and interviews, this book explores how the Abortion Act was given meaning by a diverse cast of actors including women seeking access to services, doctors and service providers, campaigners, judges, lawyers, and policy makers. By adopting an innovative biographical approach to the law, the book shows that the Abortion Act is a 'living law'. Using this historically grounded socio-legal approach, this enlightening book demonstrates how the Abortion Act both shaped and was shaped by a constantly changing society.

1. Introduction
2. The Early Years
3. The Parliamentary Battle for Restrictive Reform
4. The Battle for Normalisation
5. The Battle for Legal Meaning
6. The Battle for Northern Ireland
7. The Parliamentary Battle for Modernising Reform
8. A Biography of the 'Great Untouchable'
Appendices
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Forensic medicine [MMQ], Medical ethics & professional conduct [MBDC], Medical & healthcare law [LNTM], Legal ethics & professional conduct [LATC], Social research & statistics [JHBC], Ethical issues: abortion & birth control [JFMA]