Colin Rogerson
Partner cr@dawsoncornwell.com
Ranked in the elite "Up and Coming" list by Chambers 2021, the "Next Generation Partner" list by the Legal 500 2021 and as a "Rising Star Family Lawyer" in The Spears 500, 2021, Colin is described by sources as an “amazing lawyer working for an amazing firm.” He is widely acknowledged by all the legal directories as being "the go-to lawyer for surrogacy".
Colin is a LLB Law graduate with First Class Honours and completed his Legal Practice Course with Distinction. He trained at Dawson Cornwell, qualifying as a solicitor in 2011. He further qualified as a Solicitor Advocate (Higher Courts Civil Proceedings) in 2012 and he was made up to partner in 2019.
Described by sources as "the surrogacy guru," Colin is well known for his expertise in the law relating to surrogacy, assisted reproduction and family formation. He regularly advises clients who are undertaking surrogacy arrangements both internationally or within the UK. He is frequently instructed in complex parental order cases where there are issues with domicile, consent, conflicts of laws or where nationality/immigration laws cause difficulties with family court applications. He has been appointed by the High Court in a number of cases to represent the interests of surrogate-born children where there are unusual or complicating factors which mean that the child needs independent representation.
Colin is often called upon to advise on co-parenting and donor insemination arrangements, and all other areas of the law relating to parenthood following assisted reproduction. An experienced advocate, he regularly conducts his own advocacy in the High Court.
Colin is also "held in high regard" for his expertise in other areas of children law. He advises on all areas of private and public law children, especially cases with an international element. He has particular experience in LGBT+ related family law issues, including same-sex parenting disputes, co-parenting disputes, declarations of parentage, transgender issues and cases involving threats or incidents of honour based violence or forced marriage because of a person’s sexual orientation or identity as well as international and domestic adoptions.
He is a member of Resolution, the Law Society, the Association of Lawyers for Children, the Interlaw Diversity Forum, the P3 Network and the International Surrogacy Forum. He is a founding member of the UK LGBT Family Law Institute and an ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Fellow of the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys. He is an international associate member of the American Bar Association’s Section of Family Law Assisted Reproductive Technology Committee, where he is an international representative (he is the only lawyer from Europe) on the Committee’s Executive Council.
He is a frequent speaker at conferences within the UK and internationally on issues relating to fertility and family law. He has appeared in media interviews on the issue of surrogacy law and has authored a number of articles which have been published in legal journals and in the media.
- Shortlisted for The Family Law Awards 2017 Associate of the Year.
- “Rising Star under 40” – one of only four to receive this award , presented by the LGBT Bar Association and the Interlaw Diversity Forum, in recognition of outstanding legal professional under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their field and demonstrated a profound commitment to LGBT equality (2014).
Rising Star
He has built up his career to become “the go-to lawyer” for surrogacy cases.
The Spear’s 500 2021
Up and Coming
Colin Rogerson is respected for his handling of domestic and cross-border surrogacy matters. He is also experienced in international care proceedings and abductions. "Colin represents people with very hard cases. He is very hard-working and committed to work, and to helping the LGBT community." "He is a really good and technically able surrogacy lawyer." "He is one of the go-to people for surrogacy cases."
Chambers UK 2021
Next Generation Partner
Colin Rogerson “is an expert in international surrogacy cases, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of law and practice in this field, and a meticulous approach to tactics.” “He is well connected and well respected for his surrogacy work.”
Legal 500 2021
Best of breed - Rising Star Family Lawyer
Colin has become "the go-to lawyer for surrogacy".
The Spear's 500 2020
Up and Coming
Colin Rogerson is respected for his handling of domestic and cross-border surrogacy matters. He is also experienced in international care proceedings and abductions. He is held in high regard by interviewees, one of whom states: "I know he'll get the right result."
Chambers and Partners 2020
Next Generation Partner
"Colin Rogerson is the surrogacy guru. He knows the law inside out. He is hugely respected, not just by judges and lawyers in this jurisdiction, but also internationally".
Colin Rogerson stands out for his "knowledge and experience in very sensitive matters".
Legal 500 2020
Associates to watch
Colin Rogerson works on a range of cross-border matters involving children, and has particular expertise in matters of international surrogacy. "He is very thorough, and nothing falls through the cracks with him. He's knowledgeable in this field, and is diligent and committed to his practice," say sources.
Chambers and Partners 2019
Next Generation Lawyer
Colin Rogerson is an "unsung hero both domestically and internationally" particularly in the area of surrogacy, parentage and assisted reproduction.
Legal 500, 2018-2019
Next Generation Lawyer
Colin Rogerson "has developed a fantastic reputation" in the area of surrogacy.
Legal 500 2017
Colin Rogerson “gets to the nub of the issue very quickly”.
Legal 500 2016
Colin Rogerson is “a go-to lawyer for surrogacy work”.
Legal 500 2014
The “go-to” lawyer for surrogacy.
Legal 500 2013
Co-Parenting Agreements - What they are and why they are important?- My Future Family Fertility Show (2017)
Key considerations on using a known donor - My Future Family Fertility Show (2017)
Step-parent agreements for parenting responsibility without adoption - My Future Family Fertility Show (2017)
Key tips on surrogacy - My Future Family Fertility Show (2017)
Interviewed on CNN "Connect the World" on the impact of India's proposed ban on commercial surrogacy (2016)
Interviewed by BBC Radio London on sperm and egg donation in India (2016)
2020
2017
2016
- Re A, B and C (UK surrogacy expenses) [2016] EWFC33
- Re JB (A Child) (Surrogacy: Immigration) [2016] EWHC 760 (Fam)
- Re AB (Surrogacy - Consent) [2016] EWHC 2643 (Fam)
2015
- Re A & B (No 1 – Fact Finding Judgment) [2015] EWHC 1059 (Fam)
- Re A & B (No 2 – Parental Order) {2015} EWHC 2080 (Fam)
- In the matter of S (A Child) (Abduction: Hearing the Child) [2014] EWCA Civ 1557
2014
2013
2012
- Addressing legal issues in cross-border gestational surrogacy: current topics and trends, by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, article co-authored by Colin Rogerson and Peggy Swain from Virginia, USA (February 2021)
- What the general family lawyer should know about surrogacy law Law Society Family Law Section (May 2017)
- The prospect of an international regime for surrogacy arrangements Journal of Medical Law and Ethics; Vol. 4 (2016)
- Forced marriage: forgotten victims Colin Rogerson and Olivia Piercy shed light on the incidence of forced marriage in the LGBT community. G3 Legal (2011)
- Reproductive Tourism; a word of caution Colin Rogerson and Richard Kwan highlight some of the legal complications surrounding surrogacy arrangements abroad. Outmag.co.uk (2011)
- Surrogacy: National Approaches and International Regulation Colin Rogerson and Michael Edwards, barrister, 4 Paper Buildings, report on the proceedings at the Workshop on National Approaches to Surrogacy, University of Aberdeen. Family Law Week (October 2011)
