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"There is no specific minimum age necessary for the child," the judges wrote in their decision, adding that parents could request the details on behalf of their children.

The judges did attach conditions, notably that parents must be able to prove that the child has requested the information, and said that possible effects on the private life of the donor must be taken into account.

But they also found that the right of the child to know had "generally a greater weight" than the father's right to be undisturbed.

A pair of sisters, aged 12 and 17, who were both fathered from donor sperm, brought the case to the supreme court after disputing the current rule that a donor's identity can only be revealed when the child or children in question have reached the age of 16.

At the time of conception, the parents of the young plaintiffs waived their right to know who the donor was.

The law in Germany previous to the Supreme Court's decision was patchy and the BGH hopes that Wednesday's decision has clarified where the...