MBL Seminars Webinar - Becoming a Second Parent – Rights & Restrictions under the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act

As stressed by Sir James Munby in Re Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Cases A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H), the question of parentage is a question of fundamental gravity and importance. Yet this question remains an uncertain one in cases where a child is created via fertility treatment and this uncertainty extends far beyond cases of surrogacy. Recent cases such as Re P v Q and another (Child: Legal Parentage) and FZ v MZ [2025] highlight the limitations of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 in relation to modern families.

Join Sophie Cramption for this virtual classroom seminar exploring the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (HFEA 2008) in relation to IVF and artificial insemination. During this live session, Sophie will focus on the rights of second parents and how someone can be registered as a child’s second parent under the HFEA 2008. She will also consider situations where someone cannot be registered as a child’s second parent by considering recent case law, including those mentioned above. She will also provide a summary of the provisions of the HFEA 2008 in relation to second parents and situations where these provisions do not apply.

Date: 3 September 2026

Time: 09:00am - 10:30am

Topics include:

• Parental definitions under HFEA 2008:
  - Who is considered the child’s mother
  - What this means in practice and practical implications
• Clarifcation of second parent rights:
  - Who is considered the child’s second parent
  - Recognise the exceptions to this
• Interpretreation of recent case law:
  - Understand the boundaries and limitations of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, as highlighted in recent case law
  - Explore the impact of cases such as Re P v Q and FZ v MZ [2025]

This event requires registration here and is for intermediates with some prior subject knowledge.

3rd Sep 2026

Sophie Crampton

Call 2015