31 March 2023

BTO’s Fertility Law experts are delighted to announce that they have formed an exclusive sponsorship alliance in Scotland with Fertility Network UK. This announcement is hot on the heels of the publication of the Law Commission’s Final Report and draft Surrogacy Bill released on 29 March 2023.

Infertility affects 1 in 6 couples, the equivalent of 3.5 million men and women across the UK. Fertility Network UK is the nation’s leading patient-focused fertility charity which works hard to help people affected by the devastation and pain of infertility through the provision of free and impartial support, advice and information for anyone affected by fertility issues.

Lesley Gordon, who heads BTO’s Family Law team, said of this new corporate partnership:

“We are excited to partner with Fertility Network UK through sponsorship.  Our team has seen first-hand, and genuinely understands, the impact fertility issues have on many people and we look forward to making a difference in any way we can to those on their fertility journey.”

BTO is well placed to form this alliance as Beverley Addison, a Senior Solicitor in BTO’s team, has been directly involved throughout the creation of the new draft Surrogacy Bill, including providing the Law Society of Scotland’s response to the initial Consultation on the Law Reform.  As a respected expert in the area, Beverley has provided countless clients with advice on their fertility journey, from matters such as assisted and donor conception, to accessing fertility treatment abroad, co-parenting arrangements and surrogacy. She has also provided many training sessions to BTO’s clients and other organisations on fertility law and how it impacts both fertility practitioners and patients moving forward.

Lesley added:

“Our commitment to this charity also ties in with our firm’s ESG strategy of partnering with charities and assisting causes which matter to, and provide an invaluable safety net to, so many people. For example, it’s a privilege to support future parents as they embark on their surrogacy journey via our Free Fertility Law Advice Service, and to assist clinicians and their teams through our Free Clinicians’ Advice Line.”

Sharon Martin, Business Development Manager at Fertility Network UK, commented:

“FNUK is delighted to have BTO on board. Fertility law is a niche area that requires specialist knowledge and understanding of the often complex journey towards parenthood. FNUK has confidence in BTO’sexperience of advising on the full range of fertility law services and we very much look forward to working with them further through this new partnership”.

Free Fertility Law Advice Service: If you’re thinking about starting a surrogacy journey and want to know how the law impacts you, get in touch with BTO’s specialist team of fertility lawyers by emailing: fertilitylaw@bto.co.uk.