Case Summaries

Appeal by husband, in big money case, against an order allowing the wife to apply for orders for financial relief pursuant to Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984. Appeal dismissed.

Application for financial provision in a case where, at the last minute, the husband announced his intention to resign from his well paid post in the UK and set up as a self employed consultant in Australia. This affected his future earning potential. The wife was awarded 60% of the assets to cover the children’s needs and to reflect the earning power of the husband.

Judgment following the dismissal of an application for care orders part way through a seven day hearing after hearing medical evidence that changed the complexion of the case.

Appeal by husband against an order for ancillary relief and costs on the grounds that the judge had not accounted for his tax liabilities and debts which made the order manifestly unfair. Appeal dismissed.

Application by father for summary return of his son to the US. Application failed.

Hearing to determine whether children, currently living in Canada with their maternal great aunt, are habitually resident in the UK. Sumner J concluded that they are resident in the UK.

Judgment in big money case involving the division of substantial property built up over the course of a long marriage and the husband’s future earnings.

Judgment provided at the request of counsel following an uncontested hearing in residence and contact proceedings.

Appeals by paternal grandmother against refusal to grant her special guardianship order over the grandchild she had been caring for over three years, an order placing the child for adoption and refusal to make an order for contact. Appeals dismissed.

Appeal by father against an order that provided for contact between the maternal grandmother and his child, the mother having died soon after the child’s birth. Appeal dismissed

Appeal by husband against a committal order for breach of undertakings and contempt of court concerning, among other things, contact with the ex-wife and her relatives. Appeal allowed.

Reasons given for allowing permission to appeal care orders. The orders had been stayed and a rehearing directed.

Appeal by a local authority against a decision that they had to pay for the child’s accommodation and maintenance while she was being looked after by a friend of the father. Appeal dismissed.

Application for permission to appeal an order that refused a request for a residential asessment of a child under s. 38(6) of the Children Act 1989. Appeal allowed and order set aside.

Appeal by maternal grandparents, who had been made special guardians of a child, against orders that prevented them from changing the child’s surname and gave varying degrees of contact to both the mother and the father of the child. Appeal on surname dismissed but other appeals allowed to a limited extent.

Appeal by husband against directions in ancillary relief proceedings where there was dispute as to whether the Swiss or the English courts were first seised. Appeal allowed and directions set aside.