A Judge in Belfast’s High Court decided on 18 October that Unmarried and Same-Sex couples in Northern Ireland should be allowed to adopt Children. In so doing, Mr Justice Seamus Treacy ruled that an Adoption Law from 1987 that discriminated against both groups was unlawful and amounted to a breach of human rights. Prior to this decision, only married couples and single adults were eligible to Adopt in Northern Ireland. This was despite there being 2,500 children there in State care awaiting placement with loving families – irrespective of the adults’ sexual orientation. This change will bring Northern Ireland's adoption policy into line with the rest of the United Kingdom, where gay and unmarried heterosexual couples have been recognised as perfectly suitable Adoptive Parents for many years now. Contact our specialist Family team If you would like to talk to any of our specialist Family Law Solicitors please contact them on 0800 916 9055, or e-mail enquiries@rjwslatergordon.co.uk. Our Family Lawyers operate across the country and can offer immediate and accessible representation anywhere in England & Wales.
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