29th Annual F A Mann Lecture: Baroness Hale of Richmond

The Rt Hon The Baroness Hale of Richmond:

"Why does the State give certain benefits to couples which it denies to others? Why are only couples allowed to contract into mutual obligations of respect, caring and sharing? Why are the remedies designed to protect those who enter such relationships without contractual protection denied to other kinds of care-givers? Concentration on the couple, particularly the heterosexual couple, is understandable if the aim of the law is to regulate reproduction. It is less understandable if the aim of the law is to provide for the care and upbringing of children."

Baroness Hale of Richmond's remarks formed the 29th in a series of annual lectures in the honour of the late Dr F A Mann QC (Hon) (1907-1991), one of the founders of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law. Sir Andrew Morritt VC chaired the lecture, which was held under the auspices of the Institute and arranged by the partners of Herbert Smith (www.herbertsmith.com).

The full text of Baroness Hale's lecture is avaiable to members of the Institute and can be found here.

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