Lawyer Karen Holden explores whether parents who keep their child at home because they do not believe school is safe will be fined… With lots of anticipation and trepidation surrounding the return to school, the government has said all pupils are required to return to school unless otherwise agreed. This means that, when absence is […]
The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting every facet of our lives and, unfortunately, shows no sign of abating any time soon. If you are a British Intended Parent (IP) resident in the UK and currently on an international surrogacy journey, we know that you will be extra worried about being able to be with your surrogate and to be there when your baby is born. The […]
We are now into the fourth week of the lockdown and the world looks very different. Whilst some aspects of life are now on hold, there are some areas which are vital and must continue. Our judicial system is one of them. But how can justice still be delivered during a lockdown? What this means […]
How to remain calm and both see your children COVID-19 is causing increased tension for co-parents across the country, as they contend with child arrangements such as contact and home-schooling whilst managing work issues and financial security. Co-parenting in most instances can be extremely difficult and stressful, but co-parenting while social-distancing and self-isolating? Many couples […]
Commercial surrogacy is unlawful in this country, unlike in the USA for example, however, in a landmark case, Whittington Hospital v XX 2020, the Supreme Court’s decision in a personal injury case, shows that the judiciary, are recognising the shift in society’s perception of surrogacy as a whole, and commercial surrogacy in particular. The UK’s […]
Introduction Surrogacy is legal in the UK and those engaging in it are free to make arrangements between themselves. However, there are rules and specific processes that parties involved in surrogacy arrangements must be aware of and adhere to. We would encourage anyonetaking their first steps on the surrogacy journey to do as much research […]
If, sadly, a relationship breakdown is happening to you right now, or you are contemplating ending an unhappy relationship, what should you do first? Regardless of whether you are married or not or have children or not getting legal advice early is key so that you have the correct information in relation to your particular […]
A common concern, in the UK especially, is about the surrogate changing her mind and seeking to keep the child. Whilst on the flip side the government are also concerned about the vulnerable nature of some surrogates who could unfairly be taken advantage of by financially dominant Intended Parents (“IPs”). That said, you may also remember […]
Surrogate twin abandoned by intended parents, has the UK law really thought its policies through? Do you leave the surrogate mother to tend to a child she didn’t plan on or force the intended parent to take a child she is unlikely to care for? UK Surrogacy arrangements are not legally binding, as such the […]
This Act is already in force and has had a substantial impact upon the LGBT community for lesbian or gay couples wishing to have children through fertility treatment. What does the Act do? The Act allows a lesbian couple (A and B) who are in a civil partnership at the time of placing the embryo […]
There are many ways for same sex couples to have children and fulfill their dreams of having a family. The parenthood and fertilisation laws are developing to keep pace with each other, but it is important to seek legal advice on matters where you are unsure. Same Sex Female Couples A same sex female couple […]
If a child is not returned to the parent with whom he lives at the agreed date and time and it is suspected that the other person is not intending to return the child then it is important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible. If there is already a Residence Order (which […]