SCOTLAND – Sheriff deserts first abortion buffer zone prosecution after finding Crown failed to specify all elements of offence

11 May 2026

A Glasgow sheriff has deserted proceedings pro loco et tempore in the first prosecution raised in Scotland for a contravention of abortion buffer zone legislation after finding that the complaint failed to libel two necessary elements of the offence and in consequence constituted an unlawful interference with the accused’s rights under Article 10 ECHR.

Rose Docherty, aged 75, was charged under section 4 of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024 for allegedly displaying placards within a safe zone for the purpose of influencing the decision of persons to access, provide, and facilitate the provision of abortion services at the protected premises. Objection was taken by the accused to the relevancy of the charges in addition to a compatibility challenge per article 10 ECHR.

Continued; https://www.scottishlegal.com/articles/sheriff-deserts-first-abortion-buffer-zone-prosecution-after-finding-crown-failed-to-specify-all-elements-of-offence

11.05.2026

Commentary

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act

anti-choice protesters

Anti-abortion group active in Scotland withholds size of US funding

Apr 3, 2025
By James Walker

AN anti-abortion group active in Scotland has withheld details about the amount of US funding it receives.

The National previously revealed that ADF International – one of several groups which has actively looked to challenge Scotland’s abortion buffer zones legislation – received £1,119,975 in 2024 from its US parent entity Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), according to Companies House.

This represented a 281% increase in just two years, as it received £398,000 in 2022. Now, in newly published accounts, the organisation reveals that it has received £1,409,342 in total in 2025 – a hefty increase of over £150k.

Continued: https://archive.is/MAKTm
(https://www.thenational.scot/news/25992604.anti-abortion-group-active-scotland-withholds-size-us-funding/)

03.04.2026

News

ADF International

Alliance Defending Freedom

buffer zone law

Gillian Mackay

safe access zones

Southern Poverty Law Center

Europe

Scotland

Anti-choice

UK – Woman denies abortion clinic ‘buffer zone’ offence

January 29, 2026
Tom Edwards

A woman has pleaded not guilty to a public order offence after being accused of silently praying outside an abortion clinic in Birmingham.

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, 48, from Malvern in Worcestershire, is the first person in England and Wales to be charged under new "buffer zone" legislation which came into force in October 2024 and restricts some activities near abortion facilities.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgdj3r00p6o

29.01.2026

News

anti-choice harassment

anti-choice protesters

buffer zone law

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce

Scotland – Abortion buffer zone legislation not enforceable when clinics closed, police say

Monday 28 April 2025

Abortion buffer zones cannot be enforced when clinics are closed, police have said in an email seen by the PA news agency.

The legislation – which started as a member’s Bill proposed by Green MSP Gillian Mackay – enforced 200-metre exclusion zones around 30 sites in Scotland in an attempt to limit protests held outside of clinics.

But in an email between a police inspector in Glasgow and an MSP – passed to PA by a third party – the officer says legal advice from Police Scotland lawyers and the Crown Office concluded the legislation cannot be enforced when clinics are not operating.

Continued: https://www.itv.com/news/2025-04-27/abortion-buffer-zone-legislation-not-enforceable-when-clinics-closed-police-say

28.04.2025

Scottish Family Party

Scotland – Abortion clinic buffer zone law backed by MSP group

Apr 22, 2024

A proposed law to ban protests outside abortion clinics is necessary to ensure women are free of intimidation, a Holyrood committee has said.

Green Party MSP Gillian Mackay last year introduced a member's bill at the Scottish Parliament that would block any protests taking place within 200m (656ft) of clinics.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0v0qq9ed03o

22.04.2024

News

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill

Queen Elizabeth University hospital

Scotland – Abortion clinic buffer zone law needed ‘quickly’ – Gray

BBC
Feb 14, 2024

A law to ensure buffer zones around abortion clinics is needed "quickly", the health secretary has said.

Neil Gray described protests from anti abortion groups outside medical facilities as "unacceptable". Mr Gray was speaking at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow, one of several sites targeted by the 40 Days for Life pro-life group.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-68296988

N. Ireland – Abortion: Two arrests under new protest buffer zone law

Oct 4, 2023
By Maria McCann, BBC News NI north-east reporter

Two people have been arrested at an anti-abortion protest outside the Causeway Hospital near Coleraine, County Londonderry.

The man and woman allegedly refused to leave the established safe access zone on Tuesday morning, police said.

New legislation came into effect last week to stop protestors gathering directly outside health settings where abortions take place.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-67007413

04.10.2023

News

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act (Northern Ireland) 2023

anti-choice protesters

Abortion clinic ‘buffer zone’ bill lodged in Scottish Parliament

June 15, 2023

A bill designed to end protests outside abortion clinics has been lodged at the Scottish Parliament.

Green MSP Gillian Mackay has submitted the proposal, with the first vote expected in October.

The members' bill aims to create 150-metre (164 yard) "safe access" zones around facilities which carry out abortions and other health services.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65914694

Scotland – Green MSP looking to speed up buffer zones bill as abortion protests intensify

Apr 3, 2023
By Steph Brawn

GILLIAN Mackay has said she will be looking to speed up progress on her Safe Access Zones Bill after "sickening" harassment of patients and staff at a Glasgow clinic offering abortions.

The Green MSP has insisted intimidation from protesters at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital must be brought to an end.

Continued: https://www.thenational.scot/news/23430787.green-msp-looking-speed-buffer-zones-bill-abortion-protests-intensify/

03.04.2023