NI woman not entitled to legal parenthood after private sperm donation (opens original article in a new tab)

A Northern Ireland woman who conceived a child through a private sperm donor is not legally recognised as a second parent, according to a Court of Appeal ruling.

• A woman in Northern Ireland not entitled to legal parenthood after private sperm donation
• Court of Appeal ruled she failed to qualify for legislative routes to legal parentage
• Legislation allows legal parenthood for same-sex couples if married or in civil partnership at conception
• Public policy considerations prevented granting parentage outside statutory scheme
• Court stated couple's decision not to use civil partnership route was conscious and respected