Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

X and Another v G: Step-Parent Adoption Refused After Parental Order Rescinded: Child’s Identity and Relationship with Biological Surrogate Prioritised [2024] EWFC 20 (England and Wales)

Published on: 22 February 2024

Published by a LexisNexis Family expert

Legal News

Article summary

X and another v G and others [2024] EWFC 20 What are the practical implications of this case?

If a step-parent adoption had been granted, the surrogate would have ceased to be a legal parent and that status would have passed to the non-biological father. A key distinction between adoption and post-surrogacy parental orders is that the court may authorise an adoption despite a legal parent’s opposition, where the child’s welfare for life demands that the absence of consent be overridden. In deciding whether to do so, the court must evaluate the child’s welfare across their whole lifetime (section 1, Adoption and Children Act 2002) and give proper regard to the 'adoption welfare checklist' in ACA 2002, s 1(4), which steers the assessment. By contrast, there is no jurisdiction to make a parental order at all without the surrogate’s consent, in any circumstances. Thus, the two regimes diverge: adoption permits the court to displace a legal parent’s lack of consent if lifelong welfare requires it, but parental orders require the surrogate’s agreement without exception. Although the non-biological parent (X) failed here, that outcome does not preclude a different applicant succeeding if the facts differ and the welfare analysis points another way...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...