Case Summaries

Judgment determining the wish of the parents of a 16 year old who had previously been made a ward of court, to be able to discuss the case with the media

Grandmother’s appeal allowed, care order set aside and re-hearing ordered, because the Judge at first instance had failed to analyse the benefits and detriments of the placement options for a child and the Local Authority had failed to provide such evidence.

Care proceedings in the High Court involving Slovakian Central Authority and operation of Article 56 of EC Council Regulation 2201/2003

Welfare hearing following fact-finding and concerning residence and contact in respect of a 5 year old child. Shared residence order discharged and replaced with a sole residence order in respect of the father with contact orders in favour of the mother.

Fact-finding hearing of a mother’s allegations against a father of violence and failure to protect their child from abuse. Allegations not found.

Finding of fact hearing in care proceedings concerning six children of three different mothers; complex web of familial abuse; enmeshed and dependent family members lacking ability to protect the children from predatory members of the family.

Welfare hearing concerning two children following a fact-finding hearing.

Care proceedings appeal in which Court of Appeal gives guidance on the proper construction of Article 15 of the Regulation Brussels II Bis.

Summary of judgment in care proceedings involving two children whose parents and grandmother had been killed.

Judgment concerning the media reporting of care proceedings concerning two children whose parents and grandmother had been killed.

International divorce in which the parties had spent a total of £860,000 in legal costs in three jurisdictions; dispute included the jurisdiction of England and Wales to hear the petition for divorce; consideration of whether either party domiciled in England and Wales

Appeal by local authority against order that children should remain in long-term foster care and the refusal of placement orders. Judge wrong to conclude that long-term fostering would serve the interests of the children. Appeal allowed. Black LJ made observations on differences between long-term fostering and adoption in terms of security.

Mother’s application under the Hague Convention 1996 for the return of her 14 year old son who had remained in the UK following a contact visit to his Father – consideration of the defence under Art 13 of the child’s objection to the return

Application by mother for a declaration under s 55A of the Family Law Act 1986 that the respondent is the legal parent of her child. Declaration granted. Consideration of aspects of the HFEA 2008.

Appeal by mother against an adoption order. Consideration of the test for granting permission to appeal. Appeal dismissed.

Application for a declaration of non-recognition, under section 55 of the Family Law Act 1986, of a marriage conducted in India. Application dismissed.