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Life after death

15 January 2009
Issue: 7352 / Categories: Features , Public , Human rights
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Seamus Burns discusses the grey areas of law and ethics surrounding donor consent

Tragically, in June 2007 H, (who was married to L and had a 10-month old daughter), died unexpectedly in hospital after an appendectomy. The couple had not had any discussions as to what should happen if H (aged only 31) died in hospital. H’s death came as a hammer-blow to L, and as Mr Justice Charles in L v The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority [2008] EWHC 2149 (Fam) said “…the steps that she took in its immediate aftermath were motivated by the wishes of herself and her husband to have another child, her wish to have another child who by blood would be a full sibling to her existing child and time to think about whether she should pursue that course”. Clearly L had to act immediately and decisively to retrieve and preserve H’s sperm. Thus, she made an out of hours application to Mrs Justice Macur, for declaratory relief on 26/6/2007.

The hospital, but not the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), was notified of the application. L sought the declaratory

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

A good book, a glass of chilled Albarino, and being creative for pleasure help Liz McGrath balance the rigours of complex bundles and being Head of Chambers

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Firm welcomes director in its financial services financial regulatory team

Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn

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Partner appointment in firm’s equity capital markets team

NEWS

Law school partners with charity to give free assistance to litigants in need

Magic circle firms, in-house legal departments and litigation firms alike are embracing more flexible ways to manage surges of workloads, the success of Flex Legal has shown

Magic circle firms, in-house legal departments and litigation firms alike are embracing more flexible ways to manage surges of workloads, the success of Flex Legal has shown

Magic circle firms, in-house legal departments and litigation firms alike are embracing more flexible ways to manage surges of workloads, the success of Flex Legal has shown

Walkers and runners will take in some of London’s finest views at the 16th annual charity event

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