Same-sex parents in Jersey could have the same legal rights and mixed-sex couples by the end of next year.

The government says legislation will be lodged within weeks.

It will amend the Children (Jersey) Law 2002  and the  Marriage and Civil Status (Jersey) Law 2001 to remove existing inequalities.

If approved by the States,  both same-sex parents will be named on their child's birth certificate, and automatically have full parental responsibility.

It will also recognise parents of a child born to a surrogate mother.

Assistant Minister for Children and Education Deputy Louise Doublet has been pushing for the change following years of deadlines being missed,

Earlier this year, as a backbench politician, the St Saviour deputy lodged a proposition asking the Minister to make it a priority.

Kaye Nicholson-Horn highlighted the impact of the current law on her family, as her wife Chantal wasn''t able to be named on their son Sila's birth certificate

They had to go through a lengthy and costly court process to get her that parental responsibility.

"It's an additional strain when you have a new baby, it's costly and it takes time and we felt when we went to court that we were having to justify our existence as a family and seek approval and recognition which really no family should ever have to do."

Kaye Nicholson Horn and Deputy Louise Doublet (library picture)

Deputy Doublet is pleased to be 'within touching distance' of the rights of same-sex parents being enshrined in law.

"To those families who are affected, I'd like to reassure them that this work remains a very high priority for me and we will continue to work hard over the next eight weeks to meet our lodging deadline.

It is my intention that the draft Law will come into force within the next 12 months, so we will have Laws that reflect and serve the full diversity of ou r island’s families.”