Father claims ex tricked IVF clinic into thawing embryo, sues clinic

He said that his ex, R, had tricked doctors into impregnating her with a frozen egg fertilised by his sperm in October 2010, and claimed damages for the cost of the upkeep of the child, born the following summer.

In London on Friday, Mr Justice Jay said ARB had succeeded on all issues "save the issue of legal policy".

"It follows that there must be judgment for the clinic on the claim," he said.

The judge added: "Although he has lost this case, my judgment must be seen as a complete personal and moral vindication for ARB. The same, of course, cannot be said for R."

He granted ARB permission to appeal.

ARB broke up with R, with whom he already had a son by IVF, in May 2010.

A number of embryos had been frozen with the parties' consent and they signed agreements on an annual basis for these to remain in storage.

In October 2010, R handed the clinic a consent to thaw form, signed by her and purportedly signed by ARB and, on the basis of this document, an embryo was thawed and successfully implanted.

The judge said that ARB's case, denied by R, was that the form was not signed by him and must have been forged by R, as their relationship had irretrievably broken down and she had moved out of the house they were sharing.

ARB said that there were no circumstances in which he would or could have signed the form and it followed that the daughter, E, was an "unwanted child" and that the clinic must now bear the financial consequences.

The judge concluded that ARB did not sign the consent to thaw form in October or at all - and his signature was forged by R.

"I am also completely satisfied that ARB had no intention of having another child with R after May 2010.

"In October 2010, R well knew that, which explains why she resorted to desperate, dishonest measures."