AAPrIL online seminar: Margaret Casey KC on “The 21st century global family – How science, law and a Convention tried and failed to establish a long-term relationship”

The Australasian Association of Private International Law (AAPrIL) is hosting its 4th seminar for 2026. The seminar is fully online and free to attend.

Margaret Casey KC will present on the topic, “The 21st century global family – How science, law and a Convention tried and failed to establish a long-term relationship”. The seminar will be chaired by Jack Wass.

Abstract:

Advances in medical science and changes in what is meant by ‘family’ mean that establishing parentage can be uncertain in domestic and international law. This creates issues for globally mobile families and lifelong status issues for some people. As numbers increasingly turn to surrogacy to form families, this creates legal challenges. Across Australasia, some jurisdictions (eg New Zealand and in Australia) regulate forms of surrogacy and try to accommodate citizens who travel overseas to implement surrogacy plans. However, parents returning home with a child born through surrogacy overseas may still confront problems in having their parentage recognised (with all the consequential rights and benefits for their child). International responses have been attempted. In 2016, Margaret Casey KC was appointed to the experts group established by the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) to recommend an acceptable set of rules for cross-border recognition of surrogacy and parentage. The final report was submitted to the HCCH Special Commission earlier this year. Although this report was substantial, consensus has not been reached and the project has been paused. In this seminar, Margaret will outline the context in which families are now being formed, the global nature of ‘family planning’, and resulting jurisdictional issues. She will comment on reform legislation being considered in New Zealand and whether or not it is fit for purpose for the modern family.

Details:

• Where: online only
• When: Thursday, 29 October 2026, 5:00 – 6:00pm AEDT (Australian time)
• Registration: free, following the details in the flyer below

Please share the invitation with anyone you consider may be interested.

Flyer_AAPrIL Seminar 2026_4