We previously posted a brief note on the case of Sandeep and Reena Mander, based on press reports; however, the full judgment in Mander & Anor v Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead & Anor [2019] EWFC B64 is now available.

Background

Sandeep and Reena Mander are of Sikh heritage and were born and brought up in the UK. They identify as part of the wider Sikh community but are not religious:

“They go to Temple a few times a year much as, they say, some of their non-practising Christian friends go to church at Christmas or Easter. They consider themselves culturally British, whilst acknowledging their Indian heritage” [1].

They decided to seek to adopt after some seven years of numerous failed attempts at IVF [2] and they approached Adopt Berkshire, which at that time offered adoption services in a number of Berkshire boroughs including the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead. Ultimately, however, they were told that Adopt Berkshire would not progress their application further, for various reasons: Continue reading →