Application by child’s relatives to withdraw Children Act applications. Cross application by child’s father that the applications should be dismissed and a costs order made. The President permitted withdrawal of the application but ordered the relatives to pay the father’s costs on the basis of their conduct of the litigation.
Appeal by mother relating to a contact order (which provided for indirect contact only until further order) and a s. 91(14) order, in circumstances where the mother had extensive mental health difficulties. The Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed the mother’s appeal.
Successful appeal to the Court of Appeal against the decision of McCombe J sitting in the Administrative Court dismissing the appellant’s claim against the local authority for judicial review of its decision that he was not a “former relevant child” under s. 23C(1) Children Act 1989 and therefore did not owe to him the duties under that section. Appeal allowed. The appellant further sought damages but permission to proceed with the claim was not granted.
Care proceedings case in which the subject child’s elder brother had died when he was a baby. The President determined that a fact-finding hearing to try to ascertain whether the elder brother’s death had been accidental or not would be disproportionate and would also be likely to be inconclusive.
Application for permission to appeal decision permitting mother to relocate to Canada with parties’ children. Payne v Payne considered by the Court of Appeal. Permission refused.
Application by wife in respect of security for costs in proceedings pending husband’s application for permission to appeal in ancillary relief proceedings. Rules and case law considered. Application granted in part.
Fact finding hearing in care proceedings in which the judge comments on the media reporting of such proceedings.
Care proceedings: Appeal of refusal to grant permission to bring a contact order application following an open adoption. Appeal unanimously allowed
Mother sought to appeal Circuit Judge’s decision of the granting the father’s application to remove the parties’ two boys (B aged 16 and a half and C aged 12) to live with him in Canada.
Appeal (which related to C) allowed.
LSC’S appeal from the decision of a costs judge of the Senior Courts Costs Office ordering the LSC to pay to the respondent and intervener in ancillary relief proceedings £495,000. Appeal dismissed.
Disposal hearing considering placement of a child with severe and permanent brain damage with maternal grandparents who had not fully acknowledged the findings as to causation.
A surrogacy agreement case in which a Parental Order was made. Hedley J went on to emphasise the need for parties considering entering into such agreements to take legal advice covering both the host country and this jurisdiction.
Appeal by mother against refusal of permission to relocate out of the jurisdiction. Appeal successful.
Guidance for local authorities, family practitioners and the family courts to provide a framework for dealing with cases where one parent is killed by another.
