Jemma Dally

• “Jemma is the stand out solicitor for complex adoption, parentage and surrogacy disputes.”
• “There is nothing she doesn’t know about this work.”
• “Jemma is fearlessly bright, incredibly dedicated and has the ability to innovate to an extent that few others can replicate.”
• “She is brilliant for the depth of her knowledge and the creativity of her approach to cases.”

Chambers and Partners, 2025

• “Jemma Dally is a Star amongst Stars. She works tirelessly for every client and has exceptional judgment.”

The Legal 500, 2025

• “Jemma Dally is a no-nonsense force to be reckoned with. Jemma was unflappable and sensitive, but firm throughout. She is always completely on top of the case, and totally dedicated. She makes each client feel like they are her only one.”
• “Jemma Dally is a market leader in surrogacy and modern families work. She is enormously creative and always looking to push forward her clients’ cases.”
• “She is a forerunner in international children law and especially complex surrogacy work.”
• “Jemma brings an innovative and creative approach to things and she takes chances. She follows her instincts and her instincts are usually right.”

The Legal 500, 2024

• “Jemma Dally draws praise for her expert handling of both domestic and international matters related to adoption and surrogacy. She is also adept at fertility cases and family matters with immigration elements.”
• “Jemma Dally is a market leader in surrogacy and modern families work. She is enormously creative and always looking forward to push forward her clients’ cases.”
• “She is a forerunner in international children law and especially complex surrogacy work.”
• “Jemma Dally  brings an innovative and creative approach to things and she takes chances. She follows her instincts and her instincts are usually right.”

Chambers and Partners, 2024

• “She is extremely creative, very bright and great with clients. Jemma is very child- focused and is really good at handling challenging cases.”
• “Jemma Dally draws praise for her expert handling of adoption and surrogacy issues. She is also adept at fertility cases and family matters with immigration elements. Her practice includes both domestic and international adoptions.”
• “Jemma is the lawyer you want in your corner. Her knowledge of adoption law is incredible.”
• “She knew our case inside-out and was not only a wonderful lawyer, but an empathetic and understanding person to deal with during the worst days of our lives.”
• “Her knowledge of adoption law, her dedication to our case, her honesty about the reality of it, alongside her kindness, make her a special human and exceptional lawyer.”
• “Jemma is always thinking about the client and how to solve their problem.”

Chambers and Partners, 2023

• “Jemma Dally has a strong practice in issues of surrogacy, fertility, domestic and international adoption, for which sources consider her “a real leader.” Another interviewee notes: “Jemma is highly professional and knowledgeable. She is efficient, reliable and a good communicator.”

Chambers & Partners, 2019

• “Jemma Dally ‘goes beyond the call of duty to ensure that her clients receive an excellent service’.”

Legal 500, 2018

• RE N (Adoption: Surrogacy) [2024] EWFC 41
• Re Z (Surrogacy: Step-parent Adoption)
• In the matter of X (A Child)
• Brighton and Hove City Council and MM and FF and MGM and TG
• In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Cases AI and AJ)
• Between ELO and CLO and Secretary of State for the Home Department
• Re H (Surrogacy Breakdown)
• In the matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Cases P, Q, R, S, T and U) (No 2)
• In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Cases Y, Z, AA, AB and AC)
• Re H (Surrogacy Breakdown) [2017] EWCA Civ 1798
• F v M and A and Sec of State [2017] EWHC 949 (Fam)
• Re Case K (no.2) (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008) [2017] EWHC 783 (Fam)
• Re Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Cases Y, Z, AA, AB and AC) [2017] EWHC 784 (Fam)
• Re B (A Child by her Guardian) [2017] EWHC 488 (Fam)
• Re Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Cases P, Q, R, S, T, U, W and X) [2017] EWHC 49 (Fam)
• Re Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case K) [2017] EWHC 50 (Fam)
• Re N (A Child) [2016] EWHC 3085 Applications for a declaration of recognition of a foreign adoption and an adoption order. Applications opposed by the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
• Re X (A Child) (No 3) [2016] EWHC 2755
• Re AB (Surrogacy: Consent) [2016] EWHC 2643 (Fam) Application for parental orders adjourned generally as the surrogate mother had refused to give her consent to the making of the orders.
• Case L (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008) [2016] EWHC 2266 application for a declaration of non parentage in circumstances where a fertility clinic had made administrative errors and where there was no paperwork to support that the parenthood conditions set out at s42 HFEA were met.
• Re X (A Child) (No 2) [2016] EWHC 1668 (Fam)
• Re X (A Child) (Rev 1) [2016] EWHC 1342 (Fam)
• Re M [2016] EWHC 1572 (Fam) Application for a declaration of parentage in circumstances where a fertility clinic had made administrative errors in the taking and recording of consent to parenthood
• Re J [2016] EWHC 1330 (Fam) Application for a declaration of parentage in circumstances where a fertility clinic had made administrative errors in the taking and recording of consent to parenthood
• Re G [2016] EWHC 729 (Fam) – In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008. The President made a declaration of parentage in circumstances where a fertility clinic had made administrative errors in the taking and recording of consent to parenthood.
• Re I [2016] EWHC 791 (Fam) . In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008. Jemma Dally represented the child in this important judgment dealing with parentage when treatment is started under the HFEA 1990 and then completed under the HFEA 2008.
• KB and RJ [2016] (Rev 1) EWHC 760 (Fam). Application for a Parental Order in respect of a surrogate born child, born and stranded in India in circumstances where the application for a visa for settlement had been refused by the UK authorities.
• X (Foreign Surrogacy: Child’s Name) [2016] EWHC 106 Application for a parental order in respect of a child born and stranded in Nepal.
• Re B (A child) [2016] UKSC 4
  Appeal to Supreme Court by non-biological mother against decision that court did not have jurisdiction to deal with application seeking return of child removed to Pakistan. Appeal allowed.
• The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (A & Ors) [2015] EWHC 2602 – interpretation of provisions of the HFEA 2008 governing consent to parenthood in respect of children conceived using donor sperm. The case was widely reported in the media: The Telegraph & BBC.
• F v M & Others [2015] EWHC 3601 (Fam) – dealing with the interpretation of provisions of the HFEA 2008 governing consent to parenthood in respect of children conceived using donor sperm
• B (A Child) (Habitual Residence) (Inherent Jurisdiction) [2015] EWCA Civ 886 (06 August 2015)
• B (A child), Re [2016] UKSC 4 (3 February 2016) – On appeal to UKSC
• Derbyshire County Council v SH [2015] EWFC B102 (16 June 2015)
• Re Z (Foreign Surrogacy: Allocation of Work: Guidance on Parental Order Reports) [2015] EWFC 90
  Judgment setting out guidance, approved by the President of the Family Division, in respect to applications for parental orders under the Human Fertilization and Embryology Act 2008 section 54.
• Re Z (Foreign Surrogacy: Allocation of Work: Guidance on Parental Order Reports) [2015] EWFC 90 – Further DOP matter
• D (A Child) [2014] EWFC 39 – Parents with learning disability facing an application by a local authority pursuant to s.22 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 without access to legal representation. Denial of justice. This case has been widely reported in the press: The Guardian & The Telegraph.
• Re D (A Child) [2014] EWFC 39 (No 2) [2015] EWFC 2
• Re D (A Child) [2014] EWFC 39 (No 3) [2016] EWFC 1
• Re X ( A child: Adoption No. 2) [2014] EWHC 4813
• AB and CD (Surrogacy: Time Limit and Consent) [2015] EWFC 12
• Re A and B [2014] EWHC 818 (Fam) – Conclusion of the applications in relation to two children born as a result of artificial insemination involving two same sex couples.
• Re G (Recognition of Brazilian Adoption) [2014] EWHC 2605 (Fam) – International Adoption – Application for recognition of Brazilian adoption order – the procedure to be followed when making this application.
• London Borough of Waltham Forest v FC & Anor [2014] EWFC 13 and London Borough of Waltham Forest v FC & Anor [2014] EWFC 14 – Father murdered mother. Application for a Special guardianship order by the maternal aunt and her husband.
• L v C (Applications by non biological mother) [2014] EWHC 1280 – Application on behalf of the non-biological mother of a child for a declaration as to her Article 8 rights to family life enjoyed with her child prior to the child being taken from England without consent.
• Re WT (Surrogacy) [2014] EWHC 1303 (Fam) – Application for a parental order pursuant to s.54 HFEA 2008, following a foreign surrogacy arrangement. Consideration of the need for proof of the surrogate mother’s consent.
• Re X (A Child) [2013] EWHC 689 (Fam) – Applicant applying for adoption of partners’ child – whether the gateway requirement for the child to have lived with applicant for six months prior to application fulfilled
• Re Z and Z (Recognition of a Brazilian Adoption Order) [2013] EWHC 747(FAM) – Combined applications for recognition of a foreign adoption order and for a step – parent adoption order under the Adoption and Children Act 2002
• Re R (Recognition of Indian adoption) [2012] EWHC 2956 (FAM) – Application for recognition of an Indian kinship adoption