Three pro-life supporters who refused to pay fines for protesting in the exclusion zone around the Civic abortion clinic have pleaded not guilty to charges resulting from their refusals.
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Kerry Mellor, John Popplewell and Ken Clancy did not appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday, but were legally represented and the not guilty pleas entered on their behalf.
The case is expected to go to hearing later this year.
The government introduced the protest exclusion zone around the ACT Health building on Moore Street in March last year, with the expectation it would stop protesters gathering at the clinic.
However, people have continued to gather and pray at the site.
The trio, who are all aged in their 70s, have been charged with being in a protected area, engaged in prohibited behaviour under the territory's health laws.
They had been issued fines of $750 each on February 3.
A statement of facts was not tendered in court on Thursday.
Magistrate Beth Campbell set down a three-day joint hearing starting November 6, but noted that may be subject to change.
The case is expected to return to court for mention on July 10.
