Lawyer in the news

Who? Muiris Lyons, 35-year-old partner specialising in personal injury and clinical negligence at 24-partner Bath firm Withy King.

Why is he in the news? Represents Natalie Evans and Lorraine Hadley, who are in a court battle with their former partners over the right to use frozen embryos to give birth to a child.

The current law states that both parties must consent for an embryo to be used in this manner, but Ms Evans and Ms Hadley are challenging this on the grounds that if the fertilised embryos were in their bodies, their partners would have no say.

Background: LL.B from the University of Glamorgan (1985-88) followed by Law Society Finals from the College of Law, Guildford.

Qualified at Southampton firm Abels (1989-91) before joining Poole firm Coles Miller in 1991.

Moved to the Taunton office of Stewarts in 1993 before joining the Plymouth office of Bond Pearce in 1995.

Joined Withy King in 1999 and was made partner in 2000.

Route to the case: 'Natalie Evans was initially referred to us because of our clinical negligence and medical law expertise.

We met Lorraine Hadley on the set of GMTV after news of her situation came to light.

She asked me to act for her there and then.'

Thoughts on the case: 'There are some fascinating legal issues relating to consent and the application of the Human Rights Act as well as the moral and ethical implications for the status of embryos and how they are treated.

If we succeed, then the consent provisions under the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act will need to be reviewed.

Win or lose, the public debate that has ensued and the concerns that have been expressed are likely to lead to the Act being revised and updated in any event.'

Dealing with the media: 'The media interest has been overwhelming.

At times, it would have been easy to lose sight of the legal aspects of the case and simply be swept away with the torrent of media enquiries, interview requests and radio and television invitations.

We have also had a documentary team following the case for the past four weeks and that has been an experience.

Fortunately as a firm we have PR advisers on hand and I have had media training.'