Developed in response to a 2023 law reform report on surrogacy and rising demand for fertility and family creation services, solicitors seeking accreditation are required to demonstrate a high level of expertise and experience.

The new accredited specialism covers surrogacy, donor conception, assisted conception, and use of adoption as a means for family creation within the UK and abroad.

Beverley Addison, family law solicitor and convener of the Law Society’s Fertility Law and Family Creation Panel, said: “Specialist advice around fertility law and family creation is increasingly in demand, and it’s a sought-after area of practice.

“It’s vital that clients dealing with such personal and often complex matters have confidence in their solicitor to guide them, particularly as forthcoming reforms to surrogacy law are expected to increase the need for specialist practitioners.

“There are many solicitors doing significant work in this field, and I am proud that this accreditation allows us to recognise their contribution.”

Jan Cutting, the Law Society’s executive director of member experience, said: “Our accredited specialisms recognise solicitors who have focused on a specific area of law, often undertaking courses and spearheading developments in that legal area.

“Adding fertility law and family creation to our scheme allows us to highlight the hard work and hours those solicitors have dedicated to supporting their clients in this important area of work.”

Applicants must meet requirements set out on the Law Society’s website, which will be verified by a panel of fertility law and family creation experts.