Case Summaries

Decision of the Court of Appeal on the question of whether the winnings of a ‘professional’ poker player were “earnings” for the purpose of the Child Support Agency.

Applications by former female partner of mother of child for permission to apply for residence and contact orders, and for declarations that she was a ‘psychological parent’ to the child and that they shared family life within the meaning of Article 8 of the ECHR. Applications dismissed in respect of residence and contact orders, and that the applicant was a ‘psychological parent’, but declaration granted as to family life between the applicant and child.

Mother’s application (within care and placement proceedings) for declarations in relation to alleged breaches of her Human Rights by virtue of alleged inappropriate procedures by the Local Authority social work team relating to the removal of her youngest child shortly after birth

Application, by newspaper publisher in Court of Protection welfare proceedings concerning a 94 year old woman, to be joined as an interested party in the proceedings; to receive a copy of the expert’s report as to capacity; and to be permitted to make representations to the expert. Application dismissed by the President.

Mother’s appeal in Hague Convention case in which she contended that the fact that the judge conducted an extensive meeting with the child during the hearing and had used evidence from that meeting to support her decision to reject the CAFCASS officer’s recommendation contravened the Guidelines for Judges Meeting Children who are Subject to Family Proceedings (April 2010).

High Court applications for the appointment of a receiver, an extended civil restraint order and an extension to a freezing injunction. Cross-application to strike out freezing order and suspend all other orders made.

Fact-finding hearing in relation to allegations of physical injury against a background of admissions of fabricated or induced illness perpetrated by the mother

Parental order application pursuant to s.54 HFEA 2008, following a foreign surrogacy arrangement. Theis J considers the need for proof of the surrogate mother’s consent and how the court should decide whether to authorise payments which went beyond ‘expenses reasonably incurred’.

Application for father’s committal for contempt for failing to comply with three High Court orders requiring the return of his five year old son wrongfully retained in Singapore

Care proceedings in relation to a child with complex medical needs in which the judge was asked to consider the parents’ and paternal grandmother’s criticisms of the Local Authority handling of the case

Application within care proceedings for permission to change the surnames of the two youngest of seven children prior to adoption.

Application within financial remedy proceedings for a stay of an order for delivery up of a vintage motor car

Mother’s application for leave to permanently remove a child from the jurisdiction to her home country of Tanzania

Case summary coming soon

Judgment by President in ‘forced caesarean’ case approving the adoption of the daughter.

Appeal by father against order dismissing his application for a residence order and refusal to order direct contact between the father and his children. Appeal dismissed.