Forced Fatherhood – A Groundbreaking Case in Poland

Forced fatherhood is a phenomenon that has increasingly been brought before courts abroad. Now, the topic has surfaced in Poland — and our Law Firm has taken on one of the country’s first cases of this kind!

During their relationship, our Client and his partner decided to store embryos at an in vitro clinic. After a difficult breakup and while beginning a new chapter in life, our Client learned that his former partner was pregnant. But how was this possible?

It turned out that his signature had been forged, enabling the embryo transfer to proceed. The clinic carried out the procedure without his informed consent.

This case raises critical questions about the boundaries of parental responsibility, the right to decide on parenthood, and the accountability of fertility clinics. Jurisprudence on such matters remains inconsistent — both in Poland and internationally.

What position will the Polish court take? We await the outcome with great interest.

For more information, contact our Family Law Department:
Beata Woch – b.woch@siw.pl
Monika Wiśniewska – m.wisniewska@siw.pl