Meet Our New Legal Partner – International Family Law Group
By Natalie Sutherland
I’m Natalie Sutherland and I’m a family law solicitor specialising in surrogacy and fertility law and I’m a partner at International Family Law Group, based in St Paul’s, London. I’ve been a family law solicitor for nearly 20 years and have acted for many intended parents both on a domestic surrogacy journey and internationally. Working with intended parents, and helping them on their journey to parenthood, is my favourite part of my job. Whilst I also help clients deal with relationship breakdown and advise separating parents, helping to create loving families through surrogacy is extra special.
I have been involved with My Surrogacy Journey since its inception and believe wholeheartedly in MSJ’s mission and values. The team are fully committed to providing an unrivalled service when it comes to surrogacy, both for the intended parents and the surrogates, and this is what sets MSJ apart. I am proud to partner with MSJ.
I support MSJ members by meeting with them at the outset of their journey, to discuss the Parental Order process and to ensure that they are eligible to apply for a Parental Order before they then proceed to embryo transfer in their chosen jurisdiction. I am then on hand throughout the pregnancy to answer any questions and liaise with the foreign lawyers in respect of the legal process abroad. When the members have the birth certificate, I then make the Parental Order application and prepare the supporting statements as well as preparing the case for the final hearing and supporting the members throughout.
Whilst most surrogacy cases are straightforward, if they do become more complex, for example if the members’ situation changes meaning that they then struggle to meet the eligibility criteria for a Parental Order, I am able to advise members through this complexity to achieve the desired outcome.
I am always approachable, whether on email or on the phone and I can conduct meetings in person or remotely. Please do reach out if you have any questions.
Fun fact: I’m also a podcaster, co-hosting an award-winning podcast called In/Fertility in the City, which discusses the interplay between fertility challenges and professional careers. I’m also a dog-mum! Betty is a German Shephard Siberian Husky cross from Bosnia whom I’m besotted with and who has finally completed my family.
