News
Planning for death when you’re making life – why you should make a will if you’re conceiving through assisted reproduction
There are many examples of problems when a person unexpectedly dies without leaving a Will, and it is always advisable to make a Will as soon as you own any significant assets. However, starting a family should also prompt you to do so, so that you make sure the tiny...
USA surrogacy for British expatriates: Legal advice
We look at the legal and practical realities of surrogacy in the US for British expatriates, and answer the most common FAQs.
Why do I need a will for a surrogacy arrangement?
Putting a will in place is on many of our to-do lists. With busy lives and various responsibilities, making a will usually ends up getting overlooked and becomes as a task we ‘should do’ but just haven’t got round to sorting. It is a good idea for anyone with...
Will my child through surrogacy be born British? And how do I apply for a British Passport?
If you are expecting a child through surrogacy, one of your top questions may be how you get a British passport for your baby, particularly if they are born outside the UK. British nationality can be complicated in surrogacy cases, and what you need to do depends on...
Two High Court decisions on Nigerian surrogacy highlight the perils of anonymous surrogacy
The English High Court has this year made parental orders in favour of two sets of parents from the UK who have had children born through anonymous surrogacy arrangements in Nigeria, both involving the Nigerian fertility clinic LifeLink. In Re H (anonymous surrogacy)...
Domicile – what does it mean and why is it important if you are having a baby through surrogacy?
A parental order is the UK legal solution for surrogacy; it is a post-birth court order which makes the intended parents the legal parents of their child and permanently extinguishes the status of the surrogate and her spouse. Parents through surrogacy who want to be...
Thinking of surrogacy in Colombia or Mexico? Make sure you’ve considered the legal issues and weighed the risks carefully
Mexico and Colombia are emerging surrogacy destinations for UK parents, which appear to be in a sharp period of growth. There remains a limited track record (bear in mind only 5 parental orders were recorded for children born in Mexico up to 2022) but they have become...
What is the difference between parental responsibility and legal parenthood?
Parental responsibility and legal parenthood are legal terms which relate to the rights and responsibilities which parents and other adults have in relation to children. Both are possible at once but also individually without the other. Below, we look at the nuances...
High Court confirms the right of a trans man to be legally recognised as male while hoping to conceive a child
An important new High Court ruling has confirmed that the desire to conceive a child does not preclude someone from obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate.
Comment piece published in Bionews about US surrogacy and birthright citizenship
Natalie was asked to write a summary for Bionews about how the new US administration’s Executive Order on birthright citizenship is impacting UK parents through US surrogacy.
Natalie speaks at legal event in London on international adoption, surrogacy and non-biological parents
Natalie was delighted to join a wonderful panel at Dawson Cornwell in London to discuss the maze of international adoption and surrogacy, speaking alongside adoption law specialist Hilka Holman, Judge Fiona Mwale of the Malawi High Court, Spencer Clarke from the English Law Commission and immigration lawyer Barry O’Leary, at an event which prompted a lively and passionate discussion about how we could improve adoption to better support the welfare of children.
Travelling home with your baby born through international surrogacy – the options
UK immigration law around surrogacy is complex. There’s no single process that fits all, and the best route home will depend on your personal situation and the country where your baby is born.
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