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The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children Ireland Ltd v Stephen Grogan and others, Case C-159/90, CJEU (Sixth Chamber), 4 October 1991

Abstract

Freedom to provide services in the European market. Prohibition on the distribution of information on clinics carrying out voluntary terminations of pregnancy in other Member States. 

Normative references

Art. 11 EUCFR
Art. 56 TFEU  

Ruling

1. It is not contrary to Community law if a Member State, where termination of pregnancy is forbidden, prohibits students’ associations from distributing information about clinics located abroad, in another Member State, that carry out lawfully voluntary terminations of pregnancy. 

2. In case of justified public policy reasons, Member states are accorded a certain deference to restrict free movement of services. 
(The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, an Irish association, sued three student organizations that published the contacts of abortion clinics in Great Britain – at that time, abortion was forbidden in Ireland).