Legal Change on Contraceptive Sterilization

Abstract

New and controversial medical procedures such as contraceptive sterilization are often thought, at least initially, to be prohibited by the criminal law. This article examines how — without any formal legal intervention — contraceptive sterilization for a consenting patient eventually became accepted as lawful in the United Kingdom. A prominent role was played by the medical profession, its organizations and its journals. A significant role was played by a little-known campaigning organization in ensuring this legal change.

Keywords: medical law, criminal law, contraceptive sterilisation, contraceptive sterilization, legal change, informal legal change, medical exception