Evans v Amicus Healthcare Ltd (Secretary of State for Health intervening)

Subject Matter

MEDICAL PRACTITIONER — Medical treatment — Human fertilisation — Female claimant and male partner providing gametes for creation of embryos by in vitro fertilisation — Male consenting to use of embryos for “treatment … together” with his partner — Embryos frozen and stored — Parties separating — Claimant seeking transfer and implantation of embryos — Whether parties treated together — Whether male's consent continuing — Whether male estopped from withdrawing consent — Whether creation, selection, freezing and storage of embryos “use” — Whether treatment engaging Convention right to family life — Whether provision allowing male gamete provider to withdraw consent infringing right — Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, Sch 3, paras 2(1)(a), 4(1)(2), 6(3) — Human Rights Act 1998, Sch 1, Pt I, arts 8, 14

[2003] EWHC 2161 (Fam); [2005] Fam 1; [2004] 2 WLR 713; [2003] 4 All ER 903; [2004] 1 FLR 67, Fam D

[2004] EWCA Civ 727; [2005] Fam 1; [2004] 3 WLR 681; [2004] 3 All ER 1025; [2004] 2 FLR 766, CA

Appellate History