The couple, who are in their 60s, had been trying for a baby throughout their 38-year marriage. After failed attempts at IVF, the couple eventually turned to a surrogacy clinic in Kiev that gave them an ‘all-inclusive package’ at the price of £23,000.
The twins were born to a surrogate living in Kiev, and legal issues arose when the couple brought their newborn children back to the UK.
With the clinic involved refusing to answer legal queries, and the surrogate disappearing and cutting off contact, authorities in the UK were unable to determine whether the woman in question had willingly given up her babies.
A High Court case ensued, and yesterday, it was ruled that the British couple are to be granted the rights to make them the legal father and mother of the 21-month-old twins.
Commenting on the unusual case, Mrs Justice Theis warned other parents considering surrogacy to take note of the case and always consider taking legal advice.
As part of the couple’s ‘deal’ with the Kiev-based clinic, they paid a flat fee which included payments to the surrogate mother, medical costs, legal help for birth certificate and passports, and a flat for the couple in Ukraine as they await their children’s birth.
The couple are said to have met the surrogate mother twice – the first time during the 15-week pregnancy scan, and the second time to collect the twins. It was upon the family’s return to the UK in February of last year that the legal issues arose.
