**Couple Champions for Surrogacy Law Reform After Welcoming Daughter via U.S. Surrogacy**
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Adam Frisby and his fiancé Jamie Corbett are calling for significant reform to surrogacy laws in the United Kingdom. The couple, who recently became parents to a delightful baby girl named Leven, faced unexpected legal hurdles after opting for surrogacy services in the United States due to more robust protections for both parents and surrogates.
During an appearance on ‘This Morning’ hosted by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, the couple explained their decision to pursue surrogacy abroad. According to Corbett, “We chose to go to the States because we’re legally recognised as her parents from the minute she is born.” He highlighted the contrast in legal frameworks, stating that the laws in the U.S. ensure both the surrogate and intended parents have their rights protected immediately upon the child’s birth.
In the UK, however, the current legal landscape is less reassuring for intended parents. Frisby noted that UK law automatically designates the surrogate as the legal mother, irrespective of any biological connection to the child. Under these regulations, if the surrogate is married, her partner also becomes the legal parent, which complicates the situation for intended parents. Corbett further elucidated that UK surrogacy laws allow for changing one’s mind, stating: “The surrogate has a right until the baby’s of a certain age, where they can still have the baby technically until this parental order is in place.”
The couple turned to surrogacy partly out of concern that they could encounter situations where either party could reconsider their decision, which could lead to significant emotional turmoil. They noted that there have been cases in the UK where intended parents have opted out halfway through, leaving the surrogate in an unanticipated position of parenthood, and vice versa.
Following Leven’s birth, the couple encountered unforeseen legal challenges upon returning to the UK. Because Leven was born through surrogacy in the U.S., the couple is regarded as her legal parents there. However, upon their return, the UK’s legal framework effectively renders her “parentless”—a term Frisby described as “crazy.” The two must now embark on what is likely an 8-10 month process of securing a parental order through the courts.
Frisby expressed frustration at the bureaucratic requirements, stating, “We have to go through endless amounts of paperwork and have our fitness as parents assessed by social workers.” He added that they should have been automatically recognised as parents, similar to any other family, as of 2026.
Despite the challenges ahead, both Frisby and Corbett believe that obtaining the parental order is a necessary step. “It feels like at this stage it’s a bit of a pointless process for us because we’re recognised as her parents in the US,” Corbett explained, describing the ordeal as largely one of bureaucracy.
In an encouraging sign, the UK government has acknowledged that the current laws surrounding surrogacy are inadequate. Frisby pointed out that while officials admitted in 2023 the legislation is “not fit for purpose,” they also revealed plans to stall reform efforts. “They just decided not to move forward with any kind of reform… because they don’t believe there are enough families like us,” Frisby lamented.
Adding to their challenges, Leven currently only holds U.S. citizenship and is in the UK on a temporary visa. Corbett expressed concerns about potential complications that may arise if Leven needs medical care or if the family travels. “Technically, she can only be here for 90 days at a time,” he noted.
In response to their struggles, Frisby and Corbett have taken an active role in advocating for change. They have launched an online petition aimed at prompting parliamentary debate on surrogacy regulations and have gathered over 90,000 signatures in just 36 hours. “We want to achieve fairness for families like ours,” Frisby declared, emphasising the need for legal recognition of intended parents from the moment of a child’s birth.
The couple has consulted with UK surrogates who share their sentiments, highlighting that the proposed reforms would not only benefit them as parents but also serve to protect surrogates once their journeys conclude. “It protects the surrogate as well as the intended parents,” Frisby asserted.
As Frisby and Corbett continue their quest for reform, their advocacy highlights the pressing need for a reassessment of surrogacy laws in the UK, aiming for a system that safeguards all parties involved and recognizes the reality of modern family structures.