The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) brought the case to legalise abortion in cases of serious foetal malformation, rape or incest.

The 1967 Abortion Act does not extend to Northern Ireland.

Termination of pregnancy is only allowed if a woman's life is at risk, or if there is a permanent or serious risk to her mental or physical health.

Anyone who unlawfully carries out an abortion could be jailed for life.

Northern Ireland's Department of Justice carried out a public consultation on changing the law to allow abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality.

However, the NIHRC claimed the consultation paper did not go far enough and said it had brought the legal proceedings as a last resort.

A judicial review hearing was held over three days in June, but the court waited until now to deliver its verdict.

'Historic'

In his ruling on Monday, Mr Justice Horner said women who were the victims of sexual crime and cases of fatal foetal abnormality were entitled to exemptions in the law.

He said that "in the circumstances, given this issue is unlikely to be grasped by the legislature in the foreseeable future, and the entitlement of the citizens of Northern Ireland to have their [European Convention on Human] rights protected by the courts", the current legislation was in breach of their human rights.

It is still to be determined whether new legislation will be required to enforce the ruling.

The Department of Justice has six weeks to decide whether to appeal the judgement.

NIHRC chief commissioner Les Allamby said: "Today's result is historic, and will be welcomed by many of the vulnerable women and girls who have been faced with these situations.

"It was important for the commission to take this challenge in its own name, in order to protect women and girls in Northern Ireland and we are delighted with the result."