Harry Smith
Senior Family and Public Inquiries Clerk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7242 3555
Email: Click here
Would you like to learn more
For more information please contact our clerks by calling +44 (0)20 7242 3555.
With modern advances in fertility treatment, increasing numbers of children are born as a result of assisted reproduction – including IVF, donor conception and surrogacy – both in the UK and overseas. As families are created by same-sex couples, single parents and co-parents, many turn to overseas fertility clinics or surrogacy arrangements, or rely on more informal sperm donation and surrogacy agreements made with friends, family members or via the internet.
The legal consequences can be complex, particularly where there are international surrogacy arrangements, fertility treatment abroad or informal agreements that do no sit neatly within the statutory scheme. Members of 7BR’s family team have substantial experience in surrogacy law, fertility and modern families, advising and representing intended parents, surrogates and donors.
Our barristers deal with the full range of issues arising in this area, including:
- establishing legal parentage; applications for parental orders and declarations of parentage;
- consequences of relationship breakdown (including arrangements for children and disputes over stored embryos);
- cases with cross-border, immigration or citizenship dimensions.
This enables us to provide clear, practical and sensitive advice to families navigating the law around assisted reproduction and same-sex parenting.
For help or advice please call +44 (0)20 7242 3555 or complete 
the form below
A member of the Clerking team will help you resolve your request.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have an out of hours number?
Yes, please call Chambers mainline number +44 (0)20 7242 3555 and you will be directed to the out of hours phone lines.
How can I find out whether 7BR can take my case?
As a direct access client, please visit our direct access page and complete the initial form, a member of the clerking team will then be in touch to discuss the next steps.
Will my barrister deal with all the correspondence?
Some barristers have the ability to “conduct litigation” for direct access clients. Our clerks will be able to assist you as to which of our members are trained and accredited to do so.
How do I instruct a barrister?
Please visit our direct access page for the initial steps on instructing a barrister, or contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7242 3555.