Baby could be first in UK ‘born without mother’

LONDON: The most senior Family Court judge in England and Wales is set to rule on a case involving a transgender man whose baby is at the centre of a historic human rights ight.

Lawyers say the baby could become THE irst person Born In ENGLAND or WALES who will not legally have a mother.

The baby is the child of a single parent who was born a woman but now lives as a man after undergoing surgery.

Judges have heard that the man had been biologically able to get pregnant and give birth but had legally become male by the time the child was born.

HE wants to BE IDENTIIED As THE child’s “father” or “parent” on a birth CERTIICATE But A registrar HAS told HIM that the law requires people who give birth to be registered as mothers.

Sir Andrew Mcfarlane, president of the family division of the High Court, is due to decide whether only either “father” or “parent” can be listed on THE CHILD’S BIRTH CERTIICATE Following a trial scheduled to take place at the High Court in London in February.

The man has taken legal action after complaining of discrimination.

He says forcing him to register as the child’s “mother” breaches his human right to respect for privacy and family life.

The case has been analysed at High Court hearings in London in recent months and lawyers representing the man are lined up against lawyers representing the Registrar General for England and Wales and government ministers.

It hit the headlines in June after another judge oversaw a preliminary hearing.

Justice Francis said then that the issue had never been raised in a court in England and Wales before.