We have written an article for Family Law about the landmark decision in same-sex parenting case Re G and Re Z (2013) from earlier this year. The case involved a lesbian couple (represented by NGA) who had conceived a son through an arrangement with a known donor. As civil partners, the two mothers were the legal parents under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and were named on his birth certificate. The genetic father applied to the court for ‘leave’ to make an application for contact rights, and the court had to decide whether – as a legal sperm donor – he should be allowed to apply against the wishes of the legal parents. The decision, published back in February, caused a storm, covered by the main front page headline of the Daily Mail, as well as press statements from the HFEA and the British Fertility Society. Natalie’s article reflects on the significance of the decision and looks at why fertility law cases are causing such a challenge for the family courts.
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