I was up close to 1am earlier eagerly waiting to hear one of my legal inspirations, Baroness Hale of Richmond deliver her lecture on “What do we mean by a family now”. #FJCevents.
I’m so grateful to be able to listen to her thoughts.
She’s able to make complicated concepts appear so simple. Lady Hale explained the 3 types of parents: a) genetic b) gestational c) psychological. She narrated the history of family law and the evolving concepts of marriage & civil partnerships to laws which allow same-sex couples to opt for marriage or civil partnership.
I learnt that commercial surrogacy is no longer against public policy in the UK and about the ongoing legal reform by the Law Commission for automatic legal recognition of commissioning parents. Last Tuesday’s presentations on adoptions were of such high quality and dealt with issues including severance trauma, the emotional needs for adopted children to know their biological roots which is a lifelong need for connection. Any legal reform to adoption laws must also include the voices of adult adopted children.
Much food for thought this week.
