A landmark legal change in England and Wales now shields women from criminal prosecution for ending their own pregnancies. The amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill received Royal Assent on April 29, 2026, effectively decriminalizing the act for the woman involved.
The legislation does not alter the legal framework for healthcare professionals performing abortions. Instead, it eliminates the possibility of women facing investigation, charges, or jail time related to their own pregnancy decisions.
The law also includes a historic pardon, automatically expunging past convictions for women previously found guilty under the old statutes. Alison Wright, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, called the move a “momentous day,” stating the change reflects public and parliamentary sentiment. Zara Haider, President of the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, added the pardon is a crucial step toward correcting historic legal harm.