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Fertility Law Solicitors
The law in relation to fertility treatment is complex and can be applied differently in a variety of circumstances. It is therefore important that you receive clear advice prior to treatment, regardless of whether you are a single parent, an unmarried or same-sex couple, married, in a civil partnership.
At Biscoes, our specialist fertility law solicitors can provide tailored advice to support you in building your family. This means we are well-positioned to guide you through every stage of your personal fertility journey, from donor conception and surrogacy to co-parenting arrangements and support.
We understand that this subject can bring a lot of stress and emotion alongside the excitement of building a family, and we will ensure that we are sympathetic in how we handle the process.
Specifically, our fertility law services include:
Speak to our fertility law solicitors today
If you would like to contact one of our fertility law solicitors in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, please call 02392 660261. Alternatively, please fill out this simple contact form, and we will respond promptly.
Why work with our fertility law solicitors?
Biscoes’ dedicated fertility law solicitors have extensive expertise in advising individuals and families from a diverse range of backgrounds.
We provide expert, bespoke, and cutting-edge legal assistance to people across the country and around the world. No matter the complexity of your circumstances or the uniqueness of your family structure, we will know how to help you navigate fertility law.
We are also accredited by the Law Society for Children Law, a testament to our expertise with handling even the most complex issues concerning arrangements for children.
As a firm, we proudly hold the prestigious Lexcel accreditation, a testament to our excellence in legal practice management and outstanding client care.
Our fertility law services
Donor conception and co-parenting
Donor conception refers to the conception of a child using either donated eggs or donated sperm. Under this arrangement, both the donor and the recipient are ‘co-parents’.
When it comes to donor conception and co-parenting, several important issues must be considered by all parties. For instance, it is crucial to arrange parental responsibility, how the child’s time will be divided between the involved parties, and any other decisions concerning the child’s life, such as religion, education, and healthcare. Such issues can be clarified via a co-parenting agreement.
Given the complexity of donor conception laws and the significance of co-parenting agreements, we strongly advise consulting with our fertility solicitors. Our experts offer practical, straightforward advice on co-parenting and donor conception, following a strategy tailored to your specific circumstances.
Egg donation
Egg donation is a method which allows a person or couple to progress in their fertility journey by working with a licensed clinic. A woman can also donate an egg through careful medical treatment, providing information about themselves, alongside a goodwill message for the child conceived through their donation.
Women wishing to donate eggs or individuals seeking to access them will need to work with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which can be complicated. It is also crucial that you understand your rights and the protections you should be afforded if you wish to proceed with egg donation.
Our experts can provide fertility advice and guide you through interactions with HFEA and other egg donation clinics. Due to the sensitivity of the matter, you are advised to work with a legal professional, as they can help to protect you from excess fees or delays and will make sure that all paperwork is accurately completed.
Embryo donation
Embryo donation can be an exciting opportunity for intended parents who require both donor sperm and donor eggs to start their fertility journey. Still, patience and care must be taken to ensure that full consent from both involved donors is obtained, covering the use and storage of the embryo, as well as any other specified conditions.
Alongside this, there are notoriously strict laws about how clinics can store eggs and sperm, and critical paperwork that must be handled correctly. All of these factors can make embryo donation feel like an intimidating prospect for intended parents and donors alike.
Biscoes fertility law solicitors can provide support and guidance with the process of embryo donation from the perspective of prospective parents and donating parties alike. With our help, you can focus on how to take these important steps towards building a family, while we take care of paperwork and deadlines. We’ll take care of that, prioritising your needs and ensuring that your future will be supported by the documents we put together.
Sperm donation
To protect the interests of both a sperm donor and recipient, the Human Fertility Embryology Authority (HFEA) collects a register of donor information, a goodwill message, and sets eligibility criteria that donors must meet. In the UK, limits also apply to how much an individual can donate.
If you're considering sperm donation and want to ensure your rights are respected, our fertility specialists can assess your eligibility, paperwork, and the clinic’s reliability. If you are considering sperm donation outside of a licensed clinic, you are strongly advised to enter a legally drafted co-parenting agreement to clarify expectations about the child’s future and everyone's involvement.
Our fertility law solicitors can advise donors and recipients on their rights and obligations, as well as streamlining communication with clinics and the HFEA if required. With us, you can focus on your part to play in building a family, whilst we make sure to take steps in preventing disputes down the line that could disturb your family’s’ future.
Surrogacy
UK surrogacy law is highly complex and can be difficult to navigate, especially for first-time parents. For many families, finding a surrogate and ensuring everyone understands who will be responsible for the child is often challenging.
There will also be different guidelines for a gestational surrogate, who carries a child that she has no biological relation to, versus a traditional surrogate, who is donating her eggs as well as carrying the child. In either case, a legally drafted surrogacy agreement is a necessity to ensure clarity and alignment between all parties.
After the birth, parents must also take key legal steps to secure their rights and lay the foundation for making decisions about their child’s future. Surrogacy law is also often misunderstood, so getting expert advice is essential.
Biscoes’ fertility solicitors offer support and confidence to individuals building families through surrogacy. We can create a strategy to help you achieve the future you want for your family and guide you through the necessary steps, including essential paperwork and applications to secure parental rights. We also support surrogates, whether it's their first time or they have experience, ensuring their rights are protected and their needs are supported.
Speak to our fertility law solicitors today
If you would like to contact one of our fertility law solicitors in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, please call 02392 660261. Alternatively, please fill out this simple contact form, and we will respond promptly.