What is the difference between parental responsibility and legal parenthood?

by Robyn | Nov 19, 2025 | Adoption, Donor conception, LGBT+ family building, Surrogacy

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...

Natalie speaks at legal event in London on international adoption, surrogacy and non-biological parents

by Robyn | Jul 28, 2025 | Adoption, International surrogacy, Surrogacy, Surrogacy campaigning

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...

Step-parent adoption and the Human Rights Act – Article published in The Review

by Natalie | Apr 12, 2024 | Adoption

Natalie has written an article published in the Review about an important recent adoption case from the President of the High Court Family Division. It is an example of how the Human Rights Act enables the family court to make the law work humanely, in this case...

Comment piece published in Bionews about the Pope’s comments on surrogacy

by Natalie | Jan 22, 2024 | International surrogacy, Surrogacy, Surrogacy campaigning

Natalie has written a comment piece for this week’s Bionews together with equalities lawyer Lui Asquith, about the UK Supreme Court’s recent judgment on the meaning of ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010. Giving a calm practical guide to those working in the fertility...

Adoption order granted to non-biological surrogacy mum in UK legal first – new reported NGA case

by Helen | Feb 27, 2023 | Adoption, International surrogacy, Surrogacy, Surrogacy in Africa, Surrogacy in the USA

The English High Court has made a non-biological mother through US surrogacy her son’s legal mother via adoption – rather than a parental order – in an important new UK court ruling. We are delighted to have represented the mother in the case, reported as J v K...