Natalie Gamble argues the law on parentage should be widened at the Family Justice Council 17th annual debate, chaired by the President of the High Court Family Division

Natalie was delighted to be invited to speak at a Royal Courts of Justice event on 5 December 2024 on the issue of legal parenthood, run by the Family Justice Council and discussing whether it was time for the law on parentage to be widened.

The event hosted around 50 people in the room, including High Court judges, leading academics and policymakers, with another 100 people joining online.  Natalie spoke passionately about why widening the law on parenthood was essential for children living in a modern UK of diverse families, which include same-sex parents, parents through surrogacy and donation, parents who are transgender and multiple-parent families. Also speaking in favour were barrister Andrew Powell and Reader in Family Psychology Dr Sophie Zadeh. Those arguing against (without that necessarily reflecting their personal views) were Dr Dafni Lima, Susannah Johnson KC and barrister Simon Rowbotham. 

The President of the High Court Family Division, Sir Andrew MacFarlane, then chaired a Q&A session before a vote, which was overwhelmingly (60-14) decided in favour of the law on parentage being widened. 

You can watch the full event online (Past events – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary) or just Natalie’s segment (Family Justice Council Debate 2024: Natalie Gamble (Arguing For)). 

Serious and prestigious events like these on the topic of legal parenthood really do show the growing awareness that UK law is not adequately serving children in modern UK families.  At NGA Law we have campaigned for many years for inclusive law which recognises that children thrive with love, no matter what the structure of their family or how it was made. We believe very strongly that children’s lived realities should be recognised in law, and that those who conceive and care for children with the intention of being parents should be recognised as their children’s legal parents. Find out more about how we make a difference: Making a difference – NGA Law