LGBTQ+ Families to Celebrate Landmark Law Change at St Helier Event
- markdarrenwilkinso
- 3d
- 2 min read
A celebration will take place in St Helier this week to mark the introduction of Jersey’s wide-ranging Children and Civil Status Reform Package — a milestone that campaigners say brings long-awaited equality for LGBTQ+ families.
The event, hosted at Tintos, is being organised by Advocate Barbara Corbett of Corbett Le Quesne, Deputy Louise Doublet and Liberate’s Kaye Nicholson, who have all played key roles in driving the reforms forward.
Kaye Nicholson of Liberate said the celebration marks the end of “nearly a decade of campaigning”.
“This is an opportunity for the many people involved in this process to recognise such a significant achievement and, most importantly, for the children of same-sex parents to celebrate having equity with their peers,” she said.
What the reforms change
The Children and Civil Status Reform Package introduces several major updates to Jersey law, including:
Same-sex couples and parents using fertility treatment will now both be named on their child’s birth certificate.
Birth certificates for children born before 24 November 2025 can be re-registered for free, thanks to work by local family judges and Superintendent Registrar Claire Follain.
A new system for parental responsibility agreements, making it easier for step-parents to gain legal recognition.
The introduction of parental orders for altruistic surrogacy agreements.
The abolition of the concept of “illegitimacy” and the removal of the historic term “bâtard” from child and civil law.
Deputy Louise Doublet, who led the reforms through the States Assembly, said the updated legislation is one of the most extensive projects ever undertaken in Jersey.
“This is an opportunity to acknowledge the patience of all the families who haven’t been able to access these rights while we have been fighting for them,” she said. “We are the first of the Channel Islands to do this. I’m most proud that the law is retrospective, meaning children already born can now access their rights.”
Advocate Corbett praised the collaborative effort behind the reforms, saying: “We are so very pleased that this ground-breaking law is now in force. This has been achieved thanks to the Jersey Law Commission, Deputy Doublet’s leadership, and Kaye Nicholson’s tireless campaigning.”
Family barrister Marisa Allman of 36 Family Chambers, who authored the Law Commission’s consultation paper, added:
“This is such a long-awaited and lovely moment of positivity for families. I’m so glad it finally came to fruition.”
The celebration is expected to bring together families, campaigners and supporters who have spent years working to secure equal recognition for LGBTQ+ parents in Jersey.
