ABSTRACT

The long awaited judgment by the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Evans v The United Kingdom was handed down on 10 April. The situation which Miss Evans now finds herself in is undoubtedly sad and one which generates much public sympathy. However, there is a need for the law governing medically assisted reproduction to take a 'bright line', to be absolutist in its nature, as this is an area which sees many different situations which could form 'an exception to the rule'. The Grand Chamber took a balanced and sensible approach to the UK legislation, the issue of consent and possible withdrawal was explained to both parties prior to donation. The law seeks to strike a fair balance between the competing interests of both parties involved in medically assisted reproduction and this has been upheld at the highest level.