States to debate law on children’s surnames

Tuesday 22nd April 2008, 12:00AM BST.

AN unmarried couple have moved a step closer to being able to choose the name of their daughter.

After a legal tussle lasting six years, Gary Kemp and Dr Elena Moran’s Court of Appeal date next week has been put off after Home Affairs proposed changes to the Marriage and Civil Status Law.

Unmarried

The amendment, proposed by Home Affairs Minister Wendy Kinnard, would allow Mr Kemp and Dr Moran to name their daughter Claudia Kemp. As things stand, she cannot take her father’s name because her parents are unmarried.

When Claudia was born she was given her mother’s surname by the Deputy Registrar of St Helier without their consent.

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