Written in clear, accessible language, without legal jargon, the third edition of this text includes a new chapter on the laws relating to teenage pregnancy. It also covers many of the recommendations from NICE relevant to midwifery practice and considers their legal significance.

1. The legal system -- 2. Midwifery : professional regulation -- 3. Midwifery supervision -- 4. Professional accountability and the NMC -- 5. The midwives rules and code of practice, the code of professional conduct and the scope of professional practice -- 6. Woman-centred care -- 7. Consent -- 8. The duty to inform -- 9. Letting die and euthanasia -- 10. Confidentiality and access to records -- 11. Complaints -- 12. Teenage pregnancies -- 13. Negligence -- 14. Specific situations in negligence and civil court procedure -- 15. Record keeping, statements and report writing -- 16. Family planning and sterilisation -- 17. The status and rights of the unborn -- 18. Criminal liability -- 19. Health and safety -- 20. Medication -- 21. The structure of the NHS and the provision of hospital, community and primary care services -- 22. Employment law -- 23. The independent midwife and private maternity hospitals -- 24. Midwifery management -- 25. Criminal law and confinements -- 26. Termination of pregnancy -- 27. Legal issues relating to fertilisation, embryology and genetics -- 28. Vaccine damage payments -- 29. Infectious diseases and the midwife -- 30. Midwife teachers, clinical instructors, preceptors and mentors -- 31. Midwifery research -- 32. Child protection -- 33. Mental disorder and mental incapacity -- 34. Complementary therapies -- App. 1. Human Rights Act 1998 : schedule 1 : the articles -- App. 2. Congenital Disabilities (Civil Liability) Act 1976.