Each parent has a responsibility to care for their child. This means that each parent has a responsibility to provide their child with a suitable place to live; living conditions that are conducive to the child's health, well-being and development; and the necessary financial support. In adoption cases, the adoption is a legal process that creates a permanent, legally recognized relationship between a child and their adoptive parents. It is a complex process that involves many legal and emotional considerations, particularly for birth parents who must make difficult decisions about their rights and responsibilities towards their children. So, this evening on Legal Matters we look at the issue of the acquisition of parental rights and responsibilities by court order, whether through foster care or adoption, and we’re joined by Claire Thomson, an attorney in private practice at Witz Inc Attorneys in Johannesburg. Claire is a specialist family law practitioner, a trained mediator and a notary public. She is also practices commercial law.