October 3, 2025
Rees v Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust [2003] UKHL 52
A visually disabled woman had a healthy child following a negligent sterilisation. The House of Lords denied her claim for the costs of raising the child, but established a conventional award of £15,000 to recognise the legal wrong and loss of autonomy. Facts The claimant, Ms Rees, suffered from a severe and progressive visual disability. Due to her condition, she was concerned about her ability to care for a child and therefore sought sterilisation. The procedure was performed negligently by the Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust. Subsequently, she conceived and gave birth to a healthy son, Christopher. Ms Rees brought
