Search Results for: Adoption and Children Act 2002

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In re F (A Child) (Placement Order); C v East Sussex County Council (Adoption): CA 1 May 2008

The father sought to revoke a freeing order. He said that the social workers had conspired to exclude him from the process. The child was born of a casual relationship, and at first he was unaware of the proceedings. On learning of them he sought to revoke the placement order. Aware that they were doing … Continue reading In re F (A Child) (Placement Order); C v East Sussex County Council (Adoption): CA 1 May 2008

Re A (A Minor), Re TL v Coventry City Council; CC v A, by her Children’s Guardian: CA 21 Dec 2007

The foster mother of a baby promptly indicated a wish to adopt her. Following four months of assessment Coventry informed her that, for reasons which she wished to challenge, her adoption of the baby would be unsuitable. Three days prior to so informing her, Coventry had matched the baby with prospective adopters and had resolved … Continue reading Re A (A Minor), Re TL v Coventry City Council; CC v A, by her Children’s Guardian: CA 21 Dec 2007

Frette v France: ECHR 26 Feb 2002

A single homosexual man complained that the respondent state had made it impossible for him to adopt a child. Held: The claim was within the ambit of article 8 as regards respect for family life, but the court dismissed the claim under article 14 in conjunction with article 8, on margin of appreciation grounds. The … Continue reading Frette v France: ECHR 26 Feb 2002

A and Another v Essex County Council: CA 17 Dec 2003

The claimant sought damages. The respondent had acted as an adoption agency but had failed to disclose all relevant information about the child. Held: Any such duty extended only during the period where the child was with the prospective adopters pending their decision on adoption. Hale LJ: ‘Whenever the question of a common law duty … Continue reading A and Another v Essex County Council: CA 17 Dec 2003

Cheshire County Council and others v DS (Father) and others: CA 15 Mar 2007

The court granted an appeal in care proceedings, but examined the relationship between the court and local authorities. There had been a late change in the proposed care plan and an application by grandparents to be made party. Some in the authority, and the guardian, wanted a stranger adoption, but the authority and the family … Continue reading Cheshire County Council and others v DS (Father) and others: CA 15 Mar 2007

Re X (Children): CA 30 May 2002

Foster carers of children wanted to adopt them without the parents knowing their identity, using the confidential serial number approach. The parents had been led to believe that the children had been placed with a different family for adoption and wanted to continue to have contact with the children. The irony was that their preference … Continue reading Re X (Children): CA 30 May 2002

A, B v Essex County Council: QBD 18 Dec 2002

The applicants sought damages after they had had placed with them for adoption a child who proved to be destructively hyperactive. Held: The authority might be liable where they failed to disclose to adoptive parents known characteristics of a child. A person exercising a particular skill might owe a duty of care where its negligent … Continue reading A, B v Essex County Council: QBD 18 Dec 2002

In re P and Others, (Adoption: Unmarried couple) (Northern Ireland); In re G: HL 18 Jun 2008

The applicants complained that as an unmarried couple they had been excluded from consideration as adopters. Held: Northern Ireland legislation had not moved in the same way as it had for other jurisdictions within the UK. The greater commitment to traditional family structures did not however justify the difference. The rules were unlawful discrimination.Lord Hoffmann … Continue reading In re P and Others, (Adoption: Unmarried couple) (Northern Ireland); In re G: HL 18 Jun 2008

In re X and Y (Foreign Surrogacy): FD 9 Dec 2008

The court considered the approval required for an order under the 2002 Act. Held: Welfare considerations were important but not paramount: ‘Given the permanent nature of the order under s.30, it seems reasonable that the court should adopt the ‘lifelong’ perspective of welfare in the Adoption and Children Act 2002 rather than the ‘minority’ perspective … Continue reading In re X and Y (Foreign Surrogacy): FD 9 Dec 2008

North Yorkshire County Council v SA and others: CA 1 Jul 2003

The child was taken to hospital with injuries which the doctors concluded were non-accidental. The identity of the abuser was in doubt. Held: The court set out to identify the procedures in cases involving suspected non-accidental injuries where there was insufficient identification of the abuser. There are two parts to the threshold test, the harm … Continue reading North Yorkshire County Council v SA and others: CA 1 Jul 2003

Nicklinson and Another, Regina (on The Application of): SC 25 Jun 2014

Criminality of Assisting Suicide not Infringing The court was asked: ‘whether the present state of the law of England and Wales relating to assisting suicide infringes the European Convention on Human Rights, and whether the code published by the Director of Public Prosecutions relating to prosecutions of those who are alleged to have assisted a … Continue reading Nicklinson and Another, Regina (on The Application of): SC 25 Jun 2014

In re P (A Child), Re; CS and WS v A Local Authority: CA 8 May 2009

The applicants, grandparents, sought leave to appeal against a care order and placement for adoption. The child’s parents would be unable to provide care. The grandmother siffered tinnitus and reduced vision. Held: No error of law had been shown, and leave was refused. Judges: Wall LJ Citations: [2009] EWCA Civ 376 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children … Continue reading In re P (A Child), Re; CS and WS v A Local Authority: CA 8 May 2009

E v Channel Four, News International Ltd and St Helens Borough Council: FD 1 Jun 2005

The applicant sought an order restraining publication by the defendants of material, saying she did not have capacity to consent to the publication. She suffered a multiple personality disorder. She did herself however clearly wish the film to be broadcast, and she wished to criticise her care. Held: An injunction was refused. ‘If Pamela has … Continue reading E v Channel Four, News International Ltd and St Helens Borough Council: FD 1 Jun 2005

McKennitt and others v Ash and Another: QBD 21 Dec 2005

The claimant sought to restrain publication by the defendant of a book recounting very personal events in her life. She claimed privacy and a right of confidence. The defendant argued that there was a public interest in the disclosures. Held: Documents showed a readiness in the defendant to seek to manipulate the claimant through threats … Continue reading McKennitt and others v Ash and Another: QBD 21 Dec 2005

In re A (A Child) (Child: Overseas adoption): CA 5 Feb 2009

Parents and the authority agreed that a proposed adoption by an uncle. The uncle lived in America, and could not come to the UK for the ten weeks required under the 2002 Act. Held: The requirement of the Act that the child should have spent ten weeks with the adoptive parents at the home referred … Continue reading In re A (A Child) (Child: Overseas adoption): CA 5 Feb 2009

MJ (Mother) and LB (Father) v Local Authority and others: CA 17 Jul 2008

The parents appealed against an adoption order saying that the authority had made an error in the procedure. The court at first instance had said that the error had been remedied by the effect of the hearing before him. Held: The appeal succeeded. It was vital that adoption authorities comply with the requirements of the … Continue reading MJ (Mother) and LB (Father) v Local Authority and others: CA 17 Jul 2008

NS-H v Kingston Upon Hull City Council and Another: CA 14 May 2008

It will occasionally be proper for the court to grant a parent leave to apply to revoke a placement order under section 24(2)(a) of the 2002 Act 2002 notwithstanding the absence at present of any real prospect that a court would find it to be in the interests of the child to return to live … Continue reading NS-H v Kingston Upon Hull City Council and Another: CA 14 May 2008

B v London Borough of Lewisham and Another: Admn 17 Apr 2008

Judges: Black J Citations: [2008] EWHC 738 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Special Guardianship Regulations 2005, National Assistance Act 1948 21 24, Adoption and Children Act 2002 Cited by: Cited – Barrett v Kirklees Metropolitan Council Admn 12-Mar-2010 The claimant challenged the policy of the defendant to pay support to special guardians appointed under the 2002 … Continue reading B v London Borough of Lewisham and Another: Admn 17 Apr 2008

In re C (a Child) (Care proceedings: Care plan); Regina (C) v Waltham Forest London Borough Council: Admn 28 Mar 2002

An application was made to put a child in care. The local authority created a care plan involving placing the child for adoption with a Jewish family. The mother wanted to have the child placed with long term foster parents, with some continuing contact. The guardian also had reservations about the scheme, because of the … Continue reading In re C (a Child) (Care proceedings: Care plan); Regina (C) v Waltham Forest London Borough Council: Admn 28 Mar 2002

RAP v Serial No. 52/2006 and Oxfordshire County Council and others; In re P (A Child) (Adoption proceedings): CA 27 Jun 2007

When the court had an application by a parent for leave to defend adoption proceedings after the making of the placement order, the court had to make a two stage decision. First, the court had to identify whether there had been a sufficient change of circumstances, and then to consider what would be indicated by … Continue reading RAP v Serial No. 52/2006 and Oxfordshire County Council and others; In re P (A Child) (Adoption proceedings): CA 27 Jun 2007

Yousef v The Netherlands: ECHR 5 Nov 2002

In ‘judicial decisions where the rights under article 8 of parents and of a child are at stake, the child’s rights must be the paramount consideration.’ Judges: J-P Costa, P Citations: [2003] 1 FLR 210, 33711/96, (2003) 36 EHRR 20, [2002] ECHR 716 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights 8.1 Jurisdiction: Human … Continue reading Yousef v The Netherlands: ECHR 5 Nov 2002

In re F (Minors) (Adoption: Natural parents): CA 17 Oct 2006

The porposed adopters appealed an order requiring notice to be given to the natural parents before the final adoption order could be made. Held: The freeing order had been made under the 1976 Act. Accordingly under the transitional provisions there was no requirement to notify the natural parents even though the final adoption order would … Continue reading In re F (Minors) (Adoption: Natural parents): CA 17 Oct 2006

FAS v Secretary of State for The Home Department and Another: CA 5 Oct 2015

The appellant had sought adoption of a young person aged 18 of Pakistani nationality. The court rejected her application, saying it was an attempt to subvert immigration controls. Judges: Briggs, Macur, Sales LJJ Citations: [2015] EWCA Civ 951, [2015] Fam Law 1449, [2015] WLR(D) 396, [2016] 2 FLR 1035, [2016] 1 WLR 407, [2016] 2 … Continue reading FAS v Secretary of State for The Home Department and Another: CA 5 Oct 2015

AHE Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust v A and Others (By Their Litigation Friend, the Official Solicitor), The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority B, B: QBD 26 Feb 2003

An IVF treatment centre used sperm from one couple to fertilise eggs from another. This was discovered, and the unwilling donors sought a paternity declaration. Held: Section 28 did not confer paternity. The mistake vitiated whatever consents had been given, and the concept under the Act of ‘treatment together’. Any interference with the right to … Continue reading AHE Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust v A and Others (By Their Litigation Friend, the Official Solicitor), The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority B, B: QBD 26 Feb 2003

P, C And S v The United Kingdom: ECHR 16 Jul 2002

The applicants challenged the way in which their newborn children had been removed by the state after birth. S had not had the opportunity of legal representation, after her lawyers had withdrawn. The removal of S’s child was challenged as disproportionate and a breach of the right to family life. Held: Given the importance of … Continue reading P, C And S v The United Kingdom: ECHR 16 Jul 2002

Seddon v Oldham MBC (Adoption : Human Rights): FD 14 Sep 2015

The court was asked: ‘(1) Do rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 1950 (ECHR) survive the making of an adoption order? (2) Did the coming into force in April 2014 of s. 51A Adoption and Children Act 2002 (ACA 2002), which allows the court to make a … Continue reading Seddon v Oldham MBC (Adoption : Human Rights): FD 14 Sep 2015

Kent County Council v The Mother, The Father, B (By Her Children’s Guardian); Re B (A Child) (Disclosure): FD 19 Mar 2004

The council had taken the applicant’s children into care alleging that the mother had harmed them. In the light of the subsequent cases casting doubt on such findings, the mother sought the return of her children. She applied now that the hearings be in public. Held: The applicant and her solicitors had already made significant … Continue reading Kent County Council v The Mother, The Father, B (By Her Children’s Guardian); Re B (A Child) (Disclosure): FD 19 Mar 2004

Du Toit and Vos v Minister for Welfare and Population Development: 10 Sep 2002

(South African Constitutional Court) Prospective adoptive parents were a same-sex couple who challenged laws preventing them from adopting. The court said: ‘In their current form the impugned provisions exclude from their ambit potential joint adoptive parents who are unmarried, but who are partners in permanent same-sex life partnerships and who would otherwise meet the criteria … Continue reading Du Toit and Vos v Minister for Welfare and Population Development: 10 Sep 2002

In re T (a Child) (Contact: Alienation: Permission to Appeal): CA 24 Oct 2002

After a judgment the parties sought to appeal. Held: The judge had failed to make a finding on a critical issue in the case, namely whether or not the mother of the child concerned had ‘even if prompted only at a subconscious level, nevertheless deliberately engaged in alienation.’ Whilst some circumstances might require an application … Continue reading In re T (a Child) (Contact: Alienation: Permission to Appeal): CA 24 Oct 2002

DL and Another v London Borough of Newham: Admn 27 May 2011

The Claimants sought judicial review of i) the decision of the Defendant to give them a notice under section 35(2) of the 2002 Act, the effect of which was to require them to return K to the Defendant, and ii) the decision of the Defendant not to return K to their day to day care … Continue reading DL and Another v London Borough of Newham: Admn 27 May 2011

Phelps v Hillingdon London Borough Council; Anderton v Clwyd County Council; Gower v Bromley London Borough Council; Jarvis v Hampshire County Council: HL 28 Jul 2000

The plaintiffs each complained of negligent decisions in his or her education made by the defendant local authorities. In three of them the Court of Appeal had struck out the plaintiff’s claim and in only one had it been allowed to proceed. Held: The House unanimously dismissed the local authority’s appeal in that last case … Continue reading Phelps v Hillingdon London Borough Council; Anderton v Clwyd County Council; Gower v Bromley London Borough Council; Jarvis v Hampshire County Council: HL 28 Jul 2000

JD v East Berkshire Community Health NHS Trust and others: HL 21 Apr 2005

Parents of children had falsely and negligently been accused of abusing their children. The children sought damages for negligence against the doctors or social workers who had made the statements supporting the actions taken. The House was asked if the suffering of psychiatric injury by the parent was a foreseeable result of making it and … Continue reading JD v East Berkshire Community Health NHS Trust and others: HL 21 Apr 2005

X (Minors) v Bedfordshire County Council; M (A Minor) and Another v Newham London Borough Council; Etc: HL 29 Jun 1995

Liability in Damages on Statute Breach to be Clear Damages were to be awarded against a Local Authority for breach of statutory duty in a care case only if the statute was clear that damages were capable of being awarded. in the ordinary case a breach of statutory duty does not, by itself, give rise … Continue reading X (Minors) v Bedfordshire County Council; M (A Minor) and Another v Newham London Borough Council; Etc: HL 29 Jun 1995

SG and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: SC 18 Mar 2015

The court was asked whether it was lawful for the Secretary of State to make subordinate legislation imposing a cap on the amount of welfare benefits which can be received by claimants in non-working households, equivalent to the net median earnings of working households. The challenge was under the 1998 Act on the basis that … Continue reading SG and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: SC 18 Mar 2015

AXA General Insurance Ltd and Others v Lord Advocate and Others: SC 12 Oct 2011

Standing to Claim under A1P1 ECHR The appellants had written employers’ liability insurance policies. They appealed against rejection of their challenge to the 2009 Act which provided that asymptomatic pleural plaques, pleural thickening and asbestosis should constitute actionable harm for the purposes of an action of damages for personal injury. Held: The insurers’ appeals failed. … Continue reading AXA General Insurance Ltd and Others v Lord Advocate and Others: SC 12 Oct 2011

Hooper and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: HL 5 May 2005

Widowers claimed that, in denying them benefits which would have been payable to widows, the Secretary of State had acted incompatibly with their rights under article 14 read with article 1 of Protocol 1 and article 8 of the ECHR. Held: The Secretary’s appeal succeeded. Section 6 of the 1998 Act permitted the discrimination as … Continue reading Hooper and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: HL 5 May 2005

DA and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: SC 15 May 2019

Several lone parents challenged the benefits cap, saying that it was discriminatory. Held: (Hale, Kerr LL dissenting) The parents’ appeals failed. The legislation had a clear impact on lone parents and their children. The intention was to encourage claimants back into work. It was said that thus contradicted the other policy of providing no free … Continue reading DA and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: SC 15 May 2019

Handyside v The United Kingdom: ECHR 7 Dec 1976

Freedom of Expression is Fundamental to Society The appellant had published a ‘Little Red Schoolbook’. He was convicted under the 1959 and 1964 Acts on the basis that the book was obscene, it tending to deprave and corrupt its target audience, children. The book claimed that it was intended to teach school children about sex, … Continue reading Handyside v The United Kingdom: ECHR 7 Dec 1976

James and Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 21 Feb 1986

The claimants challenged the 1967 Act, saying that it deprived them of their property rights when lessees were given the power to purchase the freehold reversion. Held: Article 1 (P1-1) in substance guarantees the right of property. Allowing a mechanism for the compulsory transfer of the freehold interest in the house and the land to … Continue reading James and Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 21 Feb 1986

Neulinger And Shuruk v Switzerland: ECHR 6 Jul 2010

(Grand Chamber) The Swiss Court had rejected the claimant mother’s claim, under article 13b of the Hague Convention, that there was a grave risk that returning the child to Israel would lead to physical or psychological harm or otherwise place him in an intolerable situation. Held: To enforce the order would be an unjustifiable interference … Continue reading Neulinger And Shuruk v Switzerland: ECHR 6 Jul 2010

In re McKerr (Northern Ireland): HL 11 Mar 2004

The deceased had been shot by soldiers of the British Army whilst in a car in Northern Ireland. The car was alleged to have ‘run’ a checkpoint. The claimants said the investigation, now 20 years ago, had been inadequate. The claim was brought under human rights law, but predated by many years the incorporation of … Continue reading In re McKerr (Northern Ireland): HL 11 Mar 2004

Johns and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Derby City Council and Another: Admn 28 Feb 2011

The claimants had acted as foster carers for several years, but challenged a potential decision to discontinue that when, as committed Christians, they refused to sign to agree to treat without differentiation any child brought to them who might be homosexual. A declaration was sought as to the legality of the proposed decision. Held: A … Continue reading Johns and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Derby City Council and Another: Admn 28 Feb 2011

Ferdinand v MGN Limited: QBD 29 Sep 2011

The claimant, a famous footballer, complained that an article by the defendant relating an affair he had had, had infringed his right to privacy. The defendant relied on its right to freedom of expression. The claimant had at an earlier stage, and at the time of the incidents related, led a wilder social life, but … Continue reading Ferdinand v MGN Limited: QBD 29 Sep 2011

The Prospective Adopters v The Mother and Another: FD 20 Jan 2021

For a declaration that the Local Authority (LA) is not required by the Court to notify the Romanian Central Authority of these proceedings or to seek their assistance in identifying the birth father and wider family. Mrs Justice Lieven [2021] EWHC 91 (Fam) Bailii Adoption and Children Act 2002 46 England and Wales Adoption Updated: … Continue reading The Prospective Adopters v The Mother and Another: FD 20 Jan 2021

P, C and S v United Kingdom: ECHR 2002

The local authority had obtained the issue of an Emergency Protection Order under the 1989 Act to remove a child at birth. Held: Where the possibility of harm arose from the mother introducing something into the child’s system (such as a laxative) that did not justify separating mother and child. [2002] 2 FLR 631, (2002) … Continue reading P, C and S v United Kingdom: ECHR 2002

Axon, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Health and Another: Admn 23 Jan 2006

A mother sought to challenge guidelines issued by the respondent which would allow doctors to protect the confidentiality of women under 16 who came to them for assistance even though the sexual activities they might engage in would be unlawful. Held: A person under 16 who was otherwise competent was entitled to seek medical assistance, … Continue reading Axon, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Health and Another: Admn 23 Jan 2006

FAS v Bradford Metropolitan District Council and Another: FD 13 Mar 2015

Application by FAS to adopt her first cousin once removed, MW. The application sought a convention adoption order, which is misconceived as Pakistan, MW’s homeland, is not a party to the Hague Convention of 29 May 1993 on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Inter-country Adoption. It has therefore been treated as … Continue reading FAS v Bradford Metropolitan District Council and Another: FD 13 Mar 2015

Re W (A Child) (A Child) (Adoption Order: Leave to Oppose): CA 16 Oct 2013

Sir James Munby discussed the lamentable failure by a local authority to comply with an order of the court: ‘That the parents and their representatives should have been put in this position is quite deplorable. It is, unhappily, symptomatic of a deeply rooted culture in the family courts which, however long established, will no longer … Continue reading Re W (A Child) (A Child) (Adoption Order: Leave to Oppose): CA 16 Oct 2013

Re M (A Child) sub nom PM v MB and M (a child): CA 31 Jul 2013

‘Since 1 December 2013 and by section 4(1) CA 1989 as inserted by section 111 Adoption and Children Act 2002, an unmarried father acquires parental responsibility by the inclusion of his name on the child’s birth certificate. That legislative change accompanied society’s recognition of and expectations for the exercise of parental responsibility by parents who … Continue reading Re M (A Child) sub nom PM v MB and M (a child): CA 31 Jul 2013

Crowter and Others, Regina (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Health And Social Care: Admn 23 Sep 2021

Foetus has no Established Human Rights The Claimants sought a declaration that section 1(1)(d) of the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights (‘ECHR’), as well as some other remedies. The claimant had Down’s Syndrome, and complained the readiness to abort foetuses with identified Down’s genes – more … Continue reading Crowter and Others, Regina (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Health And Social Care: Admn 23 Sep 2021

Norfolk County Council v Webster and others: FD 1 Nov 2006

The claimants wished to claim that they were victims of a miscarriage of justice in the way the Council had dealt with care proceedings. They sought that the proceedings should be reported without the children being identified. Held: A judge must adopt the same ‘parallel analysis’ leading to the same ‘ultimate balancing test’, as described … Continue reading Norfolk County Council v Webster and others: FD 1 Nov 2006

Pretty v The United Kingdom: ECHR 29 Apr 2002

Right to Life Did Not include Right to Death The applicant was paralysed and suffered a degenerative condition. She wanted her husband to be allowed to assist her suicide by accompanying her to Switzerland. English law would not excuse such behaviour. She argued that the right to die is not the antithesis of the right … Continue reading Pretty v The United Kingdom: ECHR 29 Apr 2002

Regina v Secretary of State for Education and Employment and others ex parte Williamson and others: HL 24 Feb 2005

The appellants were teachers in Christian schools who said that the blanket ban on corporal punishment interfered with their religious freedom. They saw moderate physical discipline as an essential part of educating children in a Christian manner. Held: The appeal was dismissed. For Article 9 to be engaged (aside from certain other threshold conditions) the … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Education and Employment and others ex parte Williamson and others: HL 24 Feb 2005

Oxfordshire County Council v X and Others: CA 27 May 2010

The LA, the guardian and adoptive parents appealed against an order that they should provide to the parents an annual photograph of the child. They contended that an image should only be made available to be viewed at the authority’s offices annually. Held: The order was discharged. The judge had erred in law in reaching … Continue reading Oxfordshire County Council v X and Others: CA 27 May 2010

Hand and Another v George: ChD 17 Mar 2017

Adopted grandchildren entitled to succession The court was asked whether the adopted children whose adopting father, the son of the testator, were grandchildren of the testator for the purposes of his will. Held: The claim succeeded. The defendants, the other beneficiaries were not entitled to inherit the part of their father’s estate that derived from … Continue reading Hand and Another v George: ChD 17 Mar 2017

Warwickshire County Council v M and others: CA 1 Nov 2007

The judge had granted the mother leave to apply for revocation of placement orders. The authority appealed. The mother argued that once a change of circumstances was shown, the court was obliged to give leave to apply. Held: The judge was not so obliged, but instead had a discretion whether to grant leave to apply. … Continue reading Warwickshire County Council v M and others: CA 1 Nov 2007

Webster (the Parents) v Norfolk County Council and others: CA 11 Feb 2009

Four brothers and sisters had been adopted after the parents had been found to have abused them. The parents now had expert evidence that the injuries may have been the result of scurvy, and sought leave to appeal. Held: Leave was refused. Cases involving the reversal of adoptions in the past had been brought far … Continue reading Webster (the Parents) v Norfolk County Council and others: CA 11 Feb 2009

In re S-B (Children) (Care proceedings: Standard of proof): SC 14 Dec 2009

A child was found to have bruising consistent with physical abuse. Either or both parents might have caused it, but the judge felt it likely that only one had, that he was unable to decide which, and that they were not so serious that he had to say that the other must have known. Held: … Continue reading In re S-B (Children) (Care proceedings: Standard of proof): SC 14 Dec 2009

In re O and N (Minors); In re B (Minors) (Care: Preliminary hearing): HL 3 Apr 2003

The appeals were from conflicting decisions in care applications where one or other or both parents were guilty of lack of care, but there was no evidence to say which was responsible. Held: The threshold criteria had been met, and the court must next consider the welfare stage. Inability to identify the perpetrator is not … Continue reading In re O and N (Minors); In re B (Minors) (Care: Preliminary hearing): HL 3 Apr 2003

Carson, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; Reynolds v Same: HL 26 May 2005

One claimant said that as a foreign resident pensioner, she had been excluded from the annual uprating of state retirement pension, and that this was an infringement of her human rights. Another complained at the lower levels of job-seeker’s allowance payable to those under 25. Held: (Lord Carswell dissented in part.) The claims failed. The … Continue reading Carson, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; Reynolds v Same: HL 26 May 2005

Coventry City Council v PGO and Others: CA 22 Jun 2011

The children had been placed with short term fosterers. On adopters being found, the fosterers themselves applied to adopt the children. The court was asked whether a county court judge had power to injunct the authority not to remove the children and whether the placement for adoption had taken place without the children being physically … Continue reading Coventry City Council v PGO and Others: CA 22 Jun 2011

Down Lisburn Health and Social Services Trust and Another v H and Another: HL 12 Jul 2006

The House considered when adoption law would allow an adoption without the consent of the birth parent where there had been some continuing contact between that parent and the child. Held: (Baroness Hale dissenting) The appeal against the adoption was dismissed. The judge’s opinion had been expressed strongly but he had expressed the law accurately, … Continue reading Down Lisburn Health and Social Services Trust and Another v H and Another: HL 12 Jul 2006

Re B (Children); FC 15 Sep 2014

References: [2014] EWFC B155 Links: Bailii Coram: Wood HHJ In the context of an application for a care order the LA now presented a final care plan of permanence away from their birth family by way of adoption and, accordingly, sought placement orders in addition to care orders. Statutes: Adoption and Children Act 2002, Children … Continue reading Re B (Children); FC 15 Sep 2014

AHE Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust v A, A, YA and, ZA (By Their Litigation Friend, the Official Solicitor), the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority B, B: QBD 26 Feb 2003

References: [2003] EWHC 259 (QB), Gazette 01-May-2003, [2003] 1 FLR 1091 Links: Bailii Coram: The President An IVF treatment centre used sperm from one couple to fertilise eggs from another. This was discovered, and the unwilling donors sought a paternity declaration. Held: Section 28 did not confer paternity. The mistake vitiated whatever consents had been … Continue reading AHE Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust v A, A, YA and, ZA (By Their Litigation Friend, the Official Solicitor), the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority B, B: QBD 26 Feb 2003

Acts

1267 – 1278 – 1285 – 1297 – 1361 – 1449 – 1491 – 1533 – 1677 – 1688 – 1689 – 1700 – 1706 – 1710 – 1730 – 1737 – 1738 – 1751 – 1774 – 1792 – 1793 – 1804 – 1814 – 1819 – 1824 – 1828 – 1831 – 1832 … Continue reading Acts

Barrett v Kirklees Metropolitan Council: Admn 12 Mar 2010

The claimant challenged the policy of the defendant to pay support to special guardians appointed under the 2002 Act at two thirds only of the rate it paid in fostering allowance. Held: The policy was a substantial and insufficiently justified departure from the appropriate guidance, and was unlawful. Judges: Langan QC HHJ Citations: [2010] EWHC … Continue reading Barrett v Kirklees Metropolitan Council: Admn 12 Mar 2010

FL v Registrar General: FD 24 May 2010

The claimant sought disclosure of information held by the respondent as to the identities of her pre-adoptive natural parents. Judges: Roderic Wood J Citations: [2010] EWHC 3520 (Fam), [2011] 2 FCR 229, [2011] Fam Law 453, [2011] 2 FLR 630 Links: Bailii Statutes: Adoption and Children Act 2002, Family Proceedings Adoption Rules 2005 105(1)(b) Jurisdiction: … Continue reading FL v Registrar General: FD 24 May 2010

In re L (A Minor) (Commercial Surrogacy): FD 8 Dec 2010

The child had been born in Illinois as a result of a commercial surrogacy arrangement which would have been unlawful here. The parents applied for a parental order under the 2008 Act. Held: The order was made, but in doing so he court had to give retrospective approval to the payments. Hedley J emphasised that … Continue reading In re L (A Minor) (Commercial Surrogacy): FD 8 Dec 2010

SB v X County Council, In re P (a Child), In Re P (Placement Orders: Parental Consent): CA 20 May 2008

The court asked ‘what is the proper test for dispensing with parental agreement to the making of a placement order under section 52(1)(b) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (the 2002 Act)?’ Held: Any question of contact between the children and their family members was for the court and not the local authority to … Continue reading SB v X County Council, In re P (a Child), In Re P (Placement Orders: Parental Consent): CA 20 May 2008

Re CV (A Child) (Placement Order): CA 6 Jul 2022

Appeal against the placement order made under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 in respect of a three-year-old girl, C. The central issue is whether the judge correctly identified the realistic options for the child’s future care, properly analysed the advantages and disadvantages of each option, and sufficiently explained her reasons in the ex tempore … Continue reading Re CV (A Child) (Placement Order): CA 6 Jul 2022

In Re E (A Child): Special Guardianship Order: CA 13 Mar 2007

The grandparents of E who had obtained a special guardianship order to take care of their grand-daughter, whose parents were addicted to drugs, appealed an order refusing them permission to change her surname to theirs. Held: The decision was not inconsistent with the grant of the order giving them parental responsibility. The court retained its … Continue reading In Re E (A Child): Special Guardianship Order: CA 13 Mar 2007