Judge reserves decision on abortion

File photo / Supplied

A High Court judge has reserved his decision on a bid for a declaration on the powers of the Government-appointed Abortion Supervisory Committee (ASC).

A four-year court battle over abortion laws in New Zealand, which has cost the public a quarter of a million dollars, returned to the High Court at Wellington today.

Anti-abortion group Right to Life was essentially seeking a ban on all abortions by arguing embryos should be given full human rights.

It had been pursuing the issue in the court since May 2005 with the ASC defending the claim.

Since the start of court proceedings, the total cost to public funds was $279,850.55, ASC told pro-choice group Abortion Law Reform Association New Zealand (ALRANZ) after an official information act request.

Justice Forrest Miller in the High Court, who heard the case last year, questioned the legality of many abortions carried out in New Zealand.

ASC appealed Justice Miller's decision and Right to Life cross-appealed, arguing that embryos should be given full human rights.

Right to Life was also challenging abortion counselling in New Zealand.

The Court of Appeal dismissed both parties' appeals in May.

It said the case was outside its jurisdiction and the parties must return to the High Court for a declaration on the powers of the ASC as intended by Parliament.

- NZPA