Case Summaries

Judgment re. application to reopen financial remedy proceedings in a “big money” case in which Heads of Agreement and a Consent Order were approved by the court but the order was not yet sealed.

Appeal of decision to refuse natural father permission to oppose Adoption Order when paternity of the subject child had only recently been determined. (The President of the Family Division also stipulates the steps that must be taken in applications to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal against placement orders (or orders consequent upon such orders).

Application for reporting restriction order in respect of care proceedings involving four children. Order (with explanatory note) made.

Welfare hearing following fact-finding judgment. Care orders made, together with section 34(4) Children Act order. Application for section 91(14) Children Act order refused.

Finding of fact hearing, exploitation of a child in order to cause her to become pregnant by artificial insemination in order that the mother could have another child.

Hearing of two preliminary issues: (i) who was the beneficial owner of the former matrimonial home, and (ii) if that beneficial owner was a company, who was the beneficial owner of the shares in that company.

Application by local authority as to whether two children, who were the subject of care proceedings, should be tested for Huntington’s disease. Held that it was not in the welfare interests of the children to be tested.

Application for a declaration of marital status under the Family Law Act 1986 s. 55(1)(a). Held that there had not been a marriage.

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.