Case Summaries

Appeal against findings of fact in private law children proceedings. Appeal dismissed.

Fact finding hearing in High Court care proceedings. Multiple injuries to twins with complex familial medical history. Local authority unable to prove non accidental nature of injuries to requisite standard. Commentary on importance of experts and impact of modernisation reforms.

Judgment on an application for costs against a local authority

Appeal from order refusing applications for direct contact and parental responsibility.

Application by mother for permission to appeal against a care order which provided for long term foster care. Application granted.

Application by a husband to show cause why a separation agreement reached between the parties in 1991 should not be made an order of the court. Order incorporating the agreement granted.

Judicial review of the local authority’s decision to remove children, subjects of interim care orders, from the care of paternal grandparents. Declaratory relief granted.

Application by mother for the summary return of two children to Canada; issue raised as to their habitual residence. Application granted.

Application by mother for an order terminating father's parental responsibility and by father for a specific issues order requiring the mother to supply annual reports on child's progress. Mother's application granted, father's dismissed and consequential directions given.

Application by father under the Hague Convention for the reurn of children to USA; issue as to whether the children had come to the UK on a conditional or time-limited basis, or as a planned family relocation. Application granted.

Application for declaration of parentage pursuant to section 55A of the Family Law Act 1986. Application adjourned pending receipt from the DNA tester of information sufficient to satisfy the court that the samples tested were from each of the respective named people ordered to be tested.

Appeal against an order permitting the suspension of contact between a mother and new born baby in care proceedings.

Private children law: order for visiting contact to be extended to staying contact despite Cafcass recommendation (in oral evidence, which differed from his written report) to the contrary; Mother’s appeal allowed.

Appeal successful in judicial review proceedings, finding that the local authority approach to an assessment of risk to three children was flawed and unlawful.

Application for judicial review of a Local Authority’s refusal to assess a child’s needs for the purpose of providing accommodation and support under section 17 Children Act 1989

Appeal from findings of fact that father had perpetrated abuse – medical examination – no physical signs – whether “partial” summary of existing research provided by paediatrician