Law Commissioners have begun work on a major review of the law on surrogacy. Current difficulties include ensuring the practice is well regulated and that surrogates abroad are not being exploited. The wording of parental orders can also create tensions for intended parents where medical decisions about the child are being made. Professor Nick Hopkins, Law Commissioner for England and Wales, who is conducting the review along with the Scottish Law Commission, said: ‘Our society has moved on from when surrogacy laws were first introduced 30 years ago and, now, they are not fit for purpose.’
10 May 2018
Surrogacy under review
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Switalskis—Sally Ann Masih, Suzy Overton & Jane Beaumont
Trio of recruits strengthens Switalskis residential property team
Ward Hadaway—Steven Hayward
Birmingham law firm appoints construction partner
Flint Bishop—six appointments
Flint Bishop accelerates Northern growth through strategic senior appointments
NEWS
A High Court decision has clarified that a home may be unfit for human habitation not only where conditions endanger health or safety, but also where they seriously undermine comfort and convenience
A longer time limit for employment tribunal claims, new charity law thresholds, property tribunal recruitment and appellate guidance on small-claims costs feature in the latest Civil Way round-up
A recent High Court ruling could make issue estoppel considerably more complex in cross-border litigation, requiring parties to consider the foreign law governing the underlying claim
The Supreme Court has overturned Cheshire West’s bright-line test for deprivation of liberty, replacing it with a broader, more contextual assessment that gives greater weight to an individual’s wishes, feelings and apparent consent
Jonathan Fisher KC’s wide-ranging fraud report contains worthwhile proposals, but turning them into workable reform will require money, capacity and political will
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