Professor Amel Alghrani LLB, MA, PhD, Barrister (non-practising)

A major strand of Amel's work focuses on regulation of families and alternate family formation through the use of both current and emerging assisted reproductive technologies (such as womb/uterus transplantation and artificial wombs/ ectogeneesis ) and the impact these will have on reproductive rights of individuals and the welfare of children born through the use of such technologies.

Amel has published a monograph on this topic titled 'Assisted Reproductive Technologies: New Horizons: Regulating the Future of Human Reproduction - Cambridge University Press, 2018) in addition to the following articles on this topic:

E. Bayar, N. Williams, A. Alghrani, et al Fertility preservation and realignment in transgender women (2023) Human Fertility.

S. Vali, B. Jones, A. Alghrani, et al ‘Uterine transplantation: legal and regulatory implications in England’ (2022) 129 BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 590– 596.

C. Purshouse and A. Alghrani “Damages for Reproductive Negligence: Surrogacy on the NHS” (2019) 135 Law Quarterly Review 405-411.

A. Alghrani, “Uterus Transplantation in and beyond cisgender women: Revisiting procreative liberty in light of emerging reproductive technologies” (2018) 5(2) Journal of Law and the Biosciences 301-328.

A. Alghrani & D. Griffiths, “Surrogacy Regulation In The UK: the Case For Reform” (2017) 29 (2) Child and Family Law Quarterly 165 - 186.

D. Griffiths & A. Alghrani , ‘Revisiting the Regulation of the Reproduction Business’ in S. Devaney, A.M.Farell, A. Mullock and C. Stanton eds. Essays in Honour of Margaret Brazier (2015, Routledge, London).

A. Alghrani, D. Griffiths and M. Brazier, “Surrogacy Law: From Piecemeal Tweaks to Sustained Review and Reform” in Alison Diduck, Noam Peleg and Helen Reece, (eds) Law In Society: Reflections on Children, Family, Culture and Philosophy- Essays in Honour of Michael Freeman Law (2014, Brill Publishers) 425-453.

A .Alghrani & M. Brazier, “What is It? Whose is It? Repositioning the Fetus in the Context of Research” (2011) 70 Cambridge Law Journal 51-82.

A. Alghrani, “Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Family Formation: Womb Transplant Technology and the Allocation of Family Responsibilities” in C. Lind, H. Keating, J. Bridgeman Taking Family Responsibility or Having it Imposed: Recognising Law’s Limitations? (Ashgate, 2010).

A. Alghrani “Viability and Abortion: Lessons From Ectogenesis” (2009) 4 (6) Expert Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology 625-634.

A. Alghrani "The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008: A Missed Opportunity?" Editorial, (2009) 35 Journal of Medical Ethics 718-719.

A. Alghrani “Regulating the Reproductive Revolution: Ectogenesis – A Regulatory Minefield” in M. Freeman (Eds) (2008) 11 Law and Bioethics: Current Legal Issues (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2008) 303-329.

S. McGuinness & A. Alghrani , “Gender and Parenthood: The Case for Realignment?” (2008) 16(2) Medical Law Review 261-283.
A. Alghrani “The Legal and Ethical Ramifications of Ectogenesis” (2007) 2 Asian Journal of World Trade Organization & International Health Law and Policy 189 - 211.

A. Alghrani & J. Harris, “Should the Foundation of Families Be Regulated?” (2006) 18(2) Child and Family Law Quarterly 191-210.

Amel is interested in the regulation of healthcare ethics and practice, in particular the law surrounding gross negligence manslaughter, wilful neglect and corporate manslaughter. As deference towards the medical profession continues to decline and prosecutions for medical manslaughter appear to rise/be more visible, she is keen to continue to research whether the use of the criminal law to regulate fatal inadvertent error serves any positive purpose, either by promoting patient safety or preventing the occurrence of such errors.

Amel's research on this topic can be found in the following publications:

A. Alghrani, H. Saad, ‘Gross Negligence Manslaughter: Exploring the Disproportionate Impact Upon BAME Doctors’ in C. Romanis, S. Germain, J. Herring, Important Perspectives in Health Law and Ethics (eds) (BUP, 2024). Forthcoming.

A. Alghrani, U. Rehman, M. Sarwar, P. Brennan, ‘Balancing the Scales of Safety: The Criminal Laws Impact on Patient Safety and Error Reduction’ (2023) British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Forthcoming).

R. Turnock, R., Weston, A. Alghrani, et al ‘Rapid development of a Clinical Decision-Making Committee in a UK paediatric hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic’ (2020) 20(2) Medical Law International 167–180.

A.M. Farrell, A.Alghrani and M. Kazarian "Gross Negligence Manslaughter: Time For A Restorative Justice Approach?" (2020) Medical Law Review 526-548.

A. Alghrani, S. Ost and R. Bennett (Eds.) The Criminal Law and Bioethical Conflict: Walking The Tightrope (Cambridge University Press, 2012).

A. Alghrani& S. Chan), “Scientists in the Dock: Regulating Science’ in A. Alghrani, S. Ost and R. Bennett (Eds.) The Criminal Law and Bioethical Conflict: Walking The Tightrope (Cambridge University Press, 2012) pp121-140.

A. Alghrani, A.M Farrell, Neil Allen and D. Griffiths, “Healthcare Scandals in the NHS: Crime and Punishment” (2011) 37(4) Journal of Medical Ethics 230-232.

A. Alghrani & M. Brazier, "Fatal Medical Malpractice and Criminal Liability" (2009) 25 (2) Journal of Professional Negligence 51-67.

Professional Journal Paper: A. Alghrani, D. Griffiths, and M. Brazier), “‘Medical Manslaughter’: A Cause for Concern?” Medical Defence Union Journal, December 2010.

Amel has recently extended her research into the domain of education law with a particualr focus on the education and health care rights of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

In 2021-2022 Amel was part of an award winning NIHR funded project undertaking research to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns on children and young people (CYP) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The aim of the research was to examine the perceptions, experiences, lessons learnt and priorities of CYP with SEND, their parents/carers and key stakeholders to reduce the inequalities and mitigate the long-term impacts of COVID-19 for CYP with SEND. This was a multi-disciplinary and cross institutional team made up of Dr Emma Ashworth, Liverpool John Moores University, Dr Joanna Kirkby, Liverpool John Moores University, Prof. Lucy Bray, Edge Hill University and Prof. Alghrani.

Recent publications on this topic:

S. Byrne, A. Alghrani ‘Between Deterioration and Disposability: Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 on Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in England’ (2023) Child and Family Law Quarterly 115.

E. Ashworth, L. Bray, A. Alghrani “"Vulnerable and abandoned" - the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, health and social care provision for children with SEND: Children and parents' perspectives" (2023) Children & Society.

A. Alghrani, D. Tyfield, S. Byrne 'Education, Law and Diversity Schooling for One and All? Neville Harris (Hart Publishing, 2022) Book Review, (2022) 42 Oxford Journal of Legal Studies 554.

Policy Report (with S.Byrne, D. Tyfield) 'Children Disability and Send Provision: A Liverpool / Merseyside Perspective", January 2020.