Adoption
Leading Adoption Solicitors
Osbornes Law team of adoption lawyers in London is headed by Naomi Angell. We specialise in this highly complex and specialist area of law, including international, intercountry, domestic and step-parent adoption cases. Read on to find out about our experience and how our lawyers can help you.
“Naomi is very knowledgeable on adoption and surrogacy. She is solution-focused and open to ideas.”
“Naomi Angell is the fount of all knowledge on adoption and surrogacy cases. She is a lawyer to whom judges defer.”
Our specialist adoption lawyers offer advice and representation on every stage of the adoption process to all of those who may be involved in an adoption case – prospective adopters, children, children’s guardians, birth parents and other relatives. They offer the same specialist, experienced and sympathetic service to clients who are paying privately or who are eligible for legal aid.
Advice from internationally recognised adoption lawyers
Head of adoption, Naomi Angell, is the leading adoption lawyer in England and has over 45 years of experience in helping people expand their family through domestic and intercountry adoption. She is recognised in Chambers UK as a ‘Senior Statesperson’ for her expertise in adoption and children law. Naomi was awarded the outstanding achievement award at the Family Law Awards, not only for her case work but for leading on major policy changes in adoption law throughout her career. She was also awarded the lifetime achievement award at the Law Society Awards 2020.
Naomi has been chair of a national adoption panel and lectures, writes and is regularly involved with media work concerning adoption (see Naomi’s personal profile for more detail on her experience in policy and casework and on the positions she holds in the adoption field).
Bridget Thompson is also a very experienced children’s lawyer with a broad knowledge of adoption law. She also specialises in all areas of Family Law but has a special interest in children related matters and in adoption.
Post adoption issues
We provide adoption advice and representation on the full range of cases that can arise after an adoption order is made whether in a domestic or inter-country case including:
- Advising and assisting all those involved with adoption on searching and re-establishing contact with a birth parent, birth family members or the adopted child.
- Advice and representation on post adoption contact cases.
- Problems involving post adoption support from a local authority social services department, health authority or education department.
Adoption FAQs
Can unmarried or same-sex couples adopt?
Yes. Adoption in the UK is open to single people, married couples, civil partners and unmarried same-sex/opposite-sex couples of all backgrounds, as long as you meet residency and age requirements.
Is embryo adoption legally recognised in the UK?
While not a legal term in the UK, embryo adoption refers to the medical practice of receiving donated embryos, usually from those who have already been through IVF treatment. The embryos are then implanted into the recipient, allowing the mother to carry the pregnancy and give birth to the child.
Legally, the child born from embryo donation is considered the child of the birth mother and her husband/ wife/ civil partner, with no parental rights for the embryo donor. However, parentage problems can arise if the second parent did not consent, or their consent form is incorrect or lost, or where the couple does not use an HFEA-licensed fertility clinic.
In these cases, we may need to apply to the court for a declaration of parentage and/or an adoption order.
When is adoption needed after surrogacy?
In most cases, the court will grant a Parental Order to transfer legal parenthood to the new parents. A Parental Order is not available if:
There is no genetic connection to the child At least one parent is not domiciled in the UK The surrogate doesn’t consent to the Parenting Order An application is not made within six months of the child’s birthIn these cases, the parent must explore alternative routes for securing parental responsibility, which could include adoption.
What rights do birth parents have once adoption is complete?
Adoption severs all legal ties between the child and its birth/biological parents, barring step-parent adoptions, where rights may be shared. Adoption is a permanent legal process, and it is extremely difficult to reverse it.
Do international adoptions confer British citizenship on the child?
Not always. Many international adoptions require additional legal steps to ensure the child becomes a British citizen and has the right to enter and remain in the UK. We can help with immigration advice to avoid leaving the child with uncertain status.
Naomi Angell has considerable strength in adoption, surrogacy and fertility issues
Naomi Angell is a renowned practitioner in the market with a wealth of experience in family cases involving immigration issues. She has a depth of knowledge in surrogacy issues and is respected for her experience handling adoption matters.
"She is responsive and very knowledgeable – she knows everything on the family law side of adoption and is also very generous with her time."
"Naomi is second to none in her knowledge of adoption and her work in surrogacy is also a strength."
"She has an encyclopaedic knowledge and an in-depth understanding of this work. She's extremely empathetic and can put herself in the client's shoes. She's also very strategic and is good at pre-empting litigation."
"Their family department is very strong, from adoption to child abduction and matrimonial finance, this is a very strong team."
"Naomi Angell is a stand out individual who is well regarded as to the go-to lawyer in her field. What Naomi doesn’t know about adoption is not worth knowing."
"She is the queen of inter-country adoption. She is experienced in the field over a long period of time. She has wonderful client skills and is committed to getting proper outcomes."
"She is an adoption superstar. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of immigration law, and knows what's on the horizon due to her involvement in policy."
Naomi Angell – the doyenne of adoption and surrogacy family law, dedicated to her clients and hardworking.
The team has considerable strength in adoption, surrogacy and fertility matters through Naomi Angell.
"Highly recommended
Bridget and Amy-Jo were very supportive during what were very stressful proceedings. They were collaborative and I felt listened to and part of a team rather than just a client. We ended up being successful at the hearing.""She's extremely knowledgeable and highly professional."
"She is the guru when it comes to international adoption and she's an expert in her field."
Naomi Angell has a vast wealth of knowledge and experience.
"Naomi Angell is a highly esteemed practitioner who is highlighted as "a leader in the field" and "extremely knowledgeable" by interviewees. She is particularly recognised for her experience in complex adoption disputes."
Bridget Thompson is a public law specialist noted for her extensive practice in matters involving alternative families and adoption. An interviewee observes: "She's a fighter, she's clever, and she understands all aspects of a case."
"Naomi Angell is a leading name in international adoption."
"Recognised for its expertise in both domestic and international adoption, as well as assisted conception."
"Naomi Angell is a leading figure in domestic and inter-country adoptions, and also has expert knowledge of related fertility and surrogacy issues."
"Naomi Angell is phenomenal. She's done it for so long and knows so much that she's a fount of knowledge. If Naomi doesn't know something, it isn't worth knowing."
Naomi Angell is the doyenne of inter-country adoption and the font of all knowledge in this area.
Highly respected for her [Naomi Angell] focused on cross-border children work, including surrogacy matters.
Naomi Angell advises on international adoptions and complex surrogacy matters. She is commended for her broad, in-depth experience."
Naomi Angell is an expert in adoption issues.
Naomi Angell leads the market in cross-border children law matters. Sources confirm that she is "at the cutting edge of changing law and policy" when it comes to international adoption
Naomi Angell is described as hugely experienced, calm and a good listener.
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