Case Summaries

This was an application pursuant to the Hague Convention by the father for summary return of child to Ireland before His Honor Judge Parker. The child, A was 2 years old. The Mother opposed the return and used the defence of Article 13(1)(b). 

This was an appeal by the appellant father against an order dismissing application for writ of habeas corpus seeking return of children, who had been taken into care.

This was a committal application heard by HHJ Ellis. The application related to an application by local authority to commit the respondent mother for contempt for breach of order prohibiting publication of information relating to care proceedings. The mother was sentenced to two months imprisonment.

Fact-finding in care proceedings to determine cause of injuries to child. Father found to have inflicted the injuries. HHJ Hesford considers the role of the experts and the scope of expertise, the application of the Lucas direction (on lies) and consideration of what is required for a finding of a failure to protect.

HHJ Suh gives a detailed judgment in long-running private law proceedings where the child was to live with the father and spend time with the mother.

These proceedings were heard by Mr Justice MacDonald in the High Court. The judgment considers a hearing to determine jurisdiction. In particular, whether the court has jurisdiction to make orders in respect of ‘Y’. 

A fact-finding hearing in which the court faced the unusual situation of disputed paternity where conventional DNA testing could not assist, because the possible fathers were identical twins.

This was a hearing before HHJ Hayes KC sitting as a Section 9 Deputy High Court judge in the Family Court sitting at Leeds.

This was a committal hearing before HHJ Vincent in the context of private law proceedings. As it was a committal hearing, the hearing was conducted in public.

This was an application heard in the High Court in June 2024 concerning the inherent jurisdiction.  The application was in respect of a return application for two children, aged 10 and 5 from India where they had been since September 2023.

This was a judgment from Mr Justice Peel sitting in the High Court on 12th June 2024.

HHJ Baker decides that it is in the best interests of a 7 year old child to be removed into foster care at an interim hearing, on the basis of the emotional harm caused by the parent with care, who was preventing her child maintaining a relationship with her other parent. It is of interest because of the way the judge criticised the local authority for its disregard of previous findings by the court and the history leading to the child being subject to a care order. It is also notable that his treatment of considers alienating behaviours, manipulative behaviour and the misuse of social media.

These proceedings, presided over by Mr Justice Francis, concern an application made by the mother (hereinafter referred to as M) to terminate the father’s (hereinafter referred to as F) parental responsibility for their daughter, A.

This case concerns the financial remedies proceedings arising out of the divorce between UD and TQ.

This judgement was handed down by Mrs Justice Lieven DBE on the 17th May 2024. H, a girl aged 3, was the subject child in the Court of Appeal judgment Re H (Parents with Learning Difficulties: Risk of Harm) [2023] EWCA Civ 59. The LA issued proceedings in respect of H at birth, but H has remained in the care of her parents since birth.

This is the second judgment in this matter. Earlier in the year DJ McKendrick KC handed down his judgment in the applicant’s summary application to return his son “N” to Ukraine.