The question of parentage has become unprecedentedly topical in
recent times, with current marriage equality laws drawing attention
to the prevalence of same-sex couples in our community who already
have children or are choosing to become parents. The emergence of
artificial and assisted conception procedures has changed our
perspective on how parentage exists. It is estimated that,
globally, there are five million people conceived by IVF. The law
has grappled to keep up with these developments, giving rise to
some fascinating legal issues to consider for the future.
Another form of establishing parentage, individuals can also
seek to deny their parentage; this can be a complex process for
individuals in heterosexual and same-sex relationships alike.
Whether an individual is considered a 'parent' in the eyes
of the law is more important than you may think. If you are found
to be a parent and thus have parental responsibility over a child,
a court order will often make
