Category: Parenting law

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24
May
2022

Blog, Donor conception law, embryo law, fertility law, Parenting law

Changes to Egg and Sperm Donor Anonymity Law in the UK

The chief executive of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), Peter Thompson, has this week (23 May 2022) announced that the HFEA is considering removing donor anonymity for egg and sperm donors in the UK. Under existing law, registered egg and sperm donors who donate through fertility treatment at UK licensed fertility clinics remain anonymous until the donor-conceived child reaches eighteen under a system known as ‘identity release’ donation. However, this is now under review as part of the HFEA’s current review of UK fertility law and its formulation of recommendations for fertility law reform to be put before government. In doing so, it reflects the growing popularity of direct-to-consumer DNA tests which are increasingly undermining donor anonymity in the UK and worldwide.

18
May
2022

Blog, Donor conception law, embryo law, fertility law, international surrogacy law, Louisa Ghevaert, Parenting law

Expert Witness Fertility Law: Claims for IVF, Donor Conception and Surrogacy

Individual fertility is precious and fragile. It can be unexpectedly lost or impaired when problems arise during surgery or fertility treatment, pregnancy and birth as well as following delays in detecting medical issues or misdiagnosis of conditions like cancer. This can give rise to complex legal claims for costs of IVF, donor conception and surrogacy within medical negligence proceedings. Our expert witness fertility law service can provide written reports and expert evidence which identifies and assesses the relevant legal issues in individual cases and quantifies the costs of family building through assisted conception to assist claims for damages. This can help ensure future family building or family expansion and completion.

29
Apr
2022

Blog, fertility law, Louisa Ghevaert, Modern family law, Parenting law

Undergoing Fertility Treatment in the Workplace and Fertility Law Reform

Undergoing fertility treatment can be a challenging exercise and it can create all sorts of practical and legal difficulties for workers. This is because the period when workers are undergoing fertility treatment (but not yet pregnant) is not adequately catered for in law. Instead, legislation giving workers’ legal rights and protections is focused around being pregnant and then having a baby. This can leave workers undergoing fertility treatment in difficult situations. As a result, fertility law reform is needed in the UK and more needs to be done to support those undergoing fertility treatment in the workplace and to improve workplace culture.

08
Apr
2022

Blog, Donor conception law, embryo law, fertility law, international surrogacy law, Louisa Ghevaert, Modern family law, Parenting law, Surrogacy law

Surrogacy Law Update: British Fertility Society’s Creating Modern Families Day 2022

Louisa Ghevaert joins a panel of leading expert speakers at The British Fertility Society’s Creating Modern Families Day 2022. This is one of nine modules which forms part of The BFS’s annual training event for clinicians, fertility nurses and specialists across the fertility sector. The Creating Modern Families Day 2022 module will look at the complexities of building modern families and assisted conception, including the clinical and legal issues, regulatory changes and wider aspects associated with fertility treatment, egg and sperm donation and surrogacy.

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