Ms Leah Hoctor:

No, I do not believe so. I believe these laws are meant to deal with circumstances in which a woman wants her husband or partner to be involved with her in the decision-making process. I do not believe these provisions are intended as a means of dealing with a conflict in views or surrounding decisions. In almost all of the 40 European countries we examined, with the exception of Turkey, the laws which allow access on request or on socio-economic grounds prioritise the woman's wishes and decision-making and those of the doctor working with her. There is also the right or ability of the woman to have her partner or husband involved in that process with her.