The Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020

Certification of opinion by registered medical professional

9.—(1) An opinion given for the purposes of these Regulations must be certified—

(a) in a case falling within regulation 3 or 5, in a certificate signed and dated by the registered medical professional;

(b) in a case falling within regulation 4, 6 or 7, in a certificate signed and dated by both registered medical professionals.

(2) The certificate in a case falling within regulation 3 or 5 must state—

(a) the full name and address of the registered medical professional;

(b) the Health and Care number of the pregnant woman;

(c) whether or not the registered medical professional has seen, or seen and examined, the pregnant woman; and

(d) that the registered medical professional is of the opinion, formed in good faith, that the ground mentioned in the regulation in question is fulfilled.

(3) The certificate in a case falling within regulation 4, 6 or 7 must state—

(a) the full name and address of each of the registered medical professionals;

(b) the Health and Care number of the pregnant woman;

(c) whether or not each registered medical professional has seen, or seen and examined, the pregnant woman; and

(d) that each registered medical professional is of the opinion, formed in good faith, that one and the same ground mentioned in the regulation in question is fulfilled.

(4) A certificate must be given—

(a) before the commencement of the treatment for the termination of the pregnancy to which it relates; or

(b) in the case of a termination falling within regulation 5 where compliance with sub-paragraph (a) is not reasonably practicable, not later than 24 hours after the termination.

(5) A certificate—

(a) must be preserved by the registered medical professional who terminated the pregnancy to which it relates for a period of not less than 3 years beginning with the date of termination; and

(b) must, at the end of that period, be destroyed by the person in whose custody it then is.

(6) A person who intentionally contravenes any provision of this regulation commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(7) Proceedings in respect of an offence under paragraph (6) may be brought only by, or with the consent of, the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

(8) The Department may provide forms for the purpose of certifying the opinions of registered medical professionals.