LATEST: Court rules NI abortion law breaches human rights
Judge said Sarah Ewart's personal testimony was "compelling"
Northern Ireland's abortion law breaches the UK's human rights commitments, the High Court in Belfast ruled today (Thursday)
Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan said Sarah Ewart, who took the case, was a victim.
“Her personal testimony is compelling,'' she said.
The judge said she would follow a previous Supreme Court ruling on the issue.
“The decision on the substantive capabilities issue was intended to have persuasive effect,'' she added
The judge followed the ruling of the Supreme Court that abortion law in Northern Ireland was incompatible with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
She said Ms Ewart had legal standing to challenge the law.
The judge will hear further submissions before deciding what action to take.
She said Ms Ewart had been affected by the current law.
“She has had to modify her behaviour in that she could not have medical treatment in Northern Ireland due to the risk of criminal prosecution,” she said
The judge added: “She has had to modify her behaviour in that she could not have medical treatment in Northern Ireland due to the risk of criminal prosecution.
“She may be actively affected in the future.
“In my view her personal testimony is not disputed."'