Surrogate mother wins libel case

A surrogate woman and her husband have accepted undisclosed damages in a High Court case over a claim she demanded an extra £5,000 from a childless couple.

Mandy and Robert Case from Felixstowe, Suffolk, brought libel proceedings over an article in The Sun in January.

The newspaper alleged when Mrs Case discovered she was pregnant with twins she demanded an additional payment on top of the £10,000 already paid.

But the court heard both parties had entered into a standard agreement.

'Without dispute'

The surrogacy was arranged by Childlessness Overcome Through Surrogacy (Cots) and the standard agreement provided for various payments, including £10,000 for the surrogacy, £1,500 for a caesarean and £3,500 for twins.

Mr and Mrs Case's advocate, David Price, told Mr Justice Eady in London that, because of this agreement, they were entitled to request a further £5,000, which was paid "without dispute" by the intended parents.

News Group Newspapers now accepted Mr and Mrs Case were entitled to ask for the extra money.

It had published an apology, paid damages to the couple from Felixstowe, and agreed to pay them legal costs.