Currently, the law (Human Fertilisation and Embryology At 2008) doesn’t allow a single parent with a child born via surrogacy to obtain a parental order, leaving their family legally vulnerable. However, following the case of Re Z [2016] EWHC 1191 (Fam), the Government has accepted that there is a need for a change in legislation.
Draft legislation was laid before Parliament on 29 November 2017 and it is now (5 February 2018*) hoped that this overdue change in the law will be in force by the end of the Parliamentary summer recess of 2018.
When the legislation finally comes into force, the Government has clearly recognised the fact that there are likely to be a number of single people who have already become parents via surrogacy arrangements, including the father in the case of Re Z, who will wish to use the new legislation to obtain a Parental Order. The draft legislation contains a provision (Section 54A (14)) allowing applications for Parental Orders in respect of children already born via surrogacy, to be made for a period of six months from the date the new legislation comes into force.
It would be sensible for any single parents with a child or children born via surrogacy, to consider taking legal advice before the new legislation comes into place so that they are in the best possible position to make the relevant application to the Courts within this six month window.
If you have any questions about this matter and the likely impact of the proposed new legislation may have on you and your family, then please contact Paul Nursall.
The Lifeline Project was a well-regarded charity. Failure to carry out the targets within the contracts led the charity into insolvency and resulted in a personal, 7-year disqualification order.
On 23 July, trainees from Anthony Collins Solicitors will host an ‘experience day’, which will involve various activities and presentations, with lawyers and non-lawyers from across the firm.
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) has launched a new scheme specifically for charities and not-for-profit organisations who want to advise EU citizens on UK settlement.
In the second part of our series on contract management pitfalls, we look at the risks and opportunities presented by payment mechanisms in construction contracts.
Under most construction contracts, the contractor takes on the ground conditions risk. However, a recent case has demonstrated that the risk can fall on the employer.
The UK Government has been consulting on how it should promote social value in its procurements. Here is our response that we submitted to the consultation...
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 came into force on 1 June 2019.
A recent case in the Court of Appeal will no doubt bring a sigh of relief for employers, but a corresponding sigh of disappointment may be uttered for equality and gender balance in the workplace.
This briefing assists response to the consultation paper by outlining the consultation questions, providing some background information and prompting some thoughts and potential answers.
A report published on 29 May by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has found that since 2009-10, local government spending on services has fallen on average by 21% in real terms.
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