Natalie’s article published in Family Law journal – lesbian parents and sperm donors

Family Law (a leading monthly journal for UK family lawyers) has published an article by Natalie which discusses the landmark decision in same sex parenting case Re G and Re Z (2013) from earlier this year.  You can read the article in full here.

The case  involved a lesbian couple (represented by the NGA team) who had conceived a son through an arrangement with a known donor.  As civil partners, the two mothers benefited from the legal protection given by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 – they were the legal parents of the little boy, and 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 at the time, 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.

You can read more from our Knowledge Centre about known donor disputes, or find out more about our family disputes services.

Tags: biological father, Family Law, gay parent, High Court, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, known donor dispute, law, lesbian mothers, lesbian parents, Natalie Gamble, Re G and Re Z, same sex parent, same sex parenting law, sperm donor