Section 4
Treatment to terminate pregnancy not to be carried out if pregnancy is of more than a certain duration unless in special circumstances
of Termination of Pregnancy Act 1974
(1)
No treatment to terminate pregnancy may be carried out —
if the pregnancy is of more than 24 weeks’ duration, unless the treatment is immediately necessary to save the life or to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman; or
if the pregnancy is of more than 16 weeks’ duration but less than 24 weeks’ duration, unless the treatment is carried out by an authorised medical practitioner who —
is in possession of the prescribed surgical or obstetric qualifications; or
has acquired special skill in such treatment either in practice or by virtue of holding an appointment in an approved institution over the prescribed period.
(2)
For the purposes of subsection (1), the duration of the pregnancy is calculated from the first day of the last normal menstruation of the pregnant woman to the end of the 24th week or to the end of any week between the 16th and the 24th week (as the case may be) or the duration of the pregnancy may be ascertained by clinical examination.