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Removal Of The Need For A Father

Briefing Paper from Family Law Review on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Draft Bill [HL]

PROPOSAL FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE NEED FOR A FATHER

Published 21 December 2007

The Centre for Social Justice 9 Westminster Palace Gardens Artillery Row London SW1P 1RL admin@centreforsocialjustice.org.uk www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk t. 020 7340 9650

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ABOUT THE FAMILY LAW COMMISSION The Family Law Commission was established in response to a key recommendation from the Social Justice Policy Group (SJPG), commissioned by David Cameron to make policy recommendations for the next Conservative manifesto, which reported in July 2007 with the publication, Breakthrough Britain.

The recommendation from the Family Breakdown Working Group (one of the six groups comprising the SJPG) was for "a review of family law conducted by a dedicated independent commission".

The Report continued, "The relationship between the law and family breakdown and legal aspects of marriage, divorce, cohabitation, parental rights and the rights of the extended family (especially grandparents) are highly complex but require consideration. We recommend that this be carried out under the auspices of an independent body such as the Centre for Social Justice."

This recommendation was taken up and a Family Law Review instituted. One area currently being considered by some members of this body concerns the Government's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, currently proceeding through Parliament, which is intended to update UK law on embryology and assisted reproduction.

There are a number of proposed changes within the Bill which directly relate to fathers. One change proposes that IVF clinics will no longer need to consider 'the need of the child for a father' before a woman has fertility treatment. The Family Law Review has written this briefing paper which looks at some of the implications of this proposed legal change, and whom it might affect, within the context of the...