Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
EMBRYO DADDY LOSES CASE AGAINST CLINIC
His former partner forged signature for 2nd baby after relationship ended
A DAD has failed in a bid to sue an IVF clinic after his ex forged his signature to use a frozen embryo to get pregnant.
The wealthy businessman claimed £1million in damages from the Harley Street facility to pay for raising his unplanned daughter and a custody battle.
The couple, identified only as ARB and R, broke up in May 2010, after they had a son through IVF treatment, the High Court heard.
Five months later, R returned to IVF Hammersmith with a “fake” signed form to free another of their frozen embryos.
The clinic implanted the embryo and R, in her 40s and a teacher at a top school, fell pregnant with a girl.
The first ARB, now in his 50s, knew was from an email on Valentine’s Day 2011.
Mr Justice Jay said: “I am completely satisfied ARB had no intention of having another child with R. She well knew that and resorted to dishonest measures.”
But he ruled, the “healthy girl”, who the court heard ARB loves dearly, cannot be viewed as “financial liability”.
The judge said ARB succeeded on all issues “save the issue of legal policy” and the clinic could not be found negligent.
ARB said afterwards he would appeal the ruling, adding: “This claim has never been about money, it is about justice.”