The applicant had been refused accomodation as homeless after disclosing the ownership of a family home in Uganda. He had lived and worked in the UK for 15 years. The authority did not accept that it had later been repossessed. The council now appealed against a finding to the contrary, saying that, per Osmani, to … Continue reading Waltham Forest v Maloba, The Law Society: CA 4 Dec 2007
The applicant sought a declaration of parenthood. She and her same sex partner had been asked to signthe wrong forms when undergoing fertility treatment. Held: The court was able to rely upon the euitable doctrine of recification were there had, as here, been a clear mistake. In this cas a wholesale transposition of the content … Continue reading G, Re (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008): FD 6 Apr 2016
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
The claimant sought a declaration of marital status. They had undergone marriage ceremonies first in Connecticut and then in the UK. In the second ceremony they had declared that they had not previously been married. The US marriage had been dissolved. Held: The English ceremony had had no effect whatsoever: In circumstances where both the … Continue reading Galloway v Goldstein: FD 16 Jan 2012
Application for declaration of parentage. Judges: The Hon Sir Jonathan Cohen Citations: [2021] EWFC 69 Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1986 55A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 20 September 2022; Ref: scu.681156
The Applicant AB, a lesbian woman aged 37, applied for contact to twin boys, E and F, aged 3. In making that application, she described herself as the boys’ ‘parent’; she ws so defined on the boys’ birth certificates. For the first 17 months of their lives, she fulfilled a parental role, as an integral … Continue reading AB v CD: FD 24 May 2013
Applications for a declaration of parentage Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Macdonald Citations: [2022] EWHC 1982 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1986 55A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 05 August 2022; Ref: scu.679743
The court made a declaration of parentage where the legal parentage differs from the biological parentage of a child, in this case, where the child was subsequently adopted but wished to have acknowledgement of their ‘natural’ or biological parentage. Hogg J said: ‘The declaration [of natural parentage] sought would not alter or affect the validity … Continue reading M v W (declaration of parentage): FD 2007
The petitioner intended to seek a declaration as to her marital status. She and the respondent had married in a civil ceremony in British Columbia in 2003. She sought a declaration of incompatibility with regard to section 11(3) of the 1973 Act so far as it failed to recognise same sex marriages. She now sought … Continue reading Wilkinson v Kitzinger and Another: FD 12 Apr 2006
The former husband sought recognition of a divorce by Talak. The husband said that it had been granted. The wife denied it and complained that if it was upheld she would be found to have been cohabiting outside of marriage. Held: The proper thing to do was to make use of the facilities for liaison … Continue reading Abbassi v Abbassi and Another: CA 7 Mar 2006
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
Judges: Mr Justice MacDonald Citations: [2020] EWFC 74 Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1986 55A(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Adoption Updated: 04 May 2022; Ref: scu.656381
Application for declaration of parentage after paperwork errors at fertility clinic. Judges: Peter Jackson J Citations: [2017] EWHC 599 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1986 55A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children, Health Updated: 24 March 2022; Ref: scu.582027
The claimant sought a declaration of parentage in respect of a child under the 1986 Act, saying that he was not the father. Directions were given for a company to take samples, but instead the company requested the various parties to attend their own doctors for the samples to be taken. The parties disputed the … Continue reading Elliott v Ratcliffe: FD 1 Feb 2013
Application for a declaration of marital status under section 55(1)(a) of the Family Law Act 1986. The Honourable Mr Justice Peter Jackson [2013] EWHC 392 (Fam) Bailii Family Law Act 1986 55(1)(a) England and Wales Family Updated: 24 January 2022; Ref: scu.509148
The parties had gone through a ceremony of marriage in Columbia, being both women. After the relationship failed, the claimant sought a declaration that the witholding of the recognition of same-sex marriages recoginised in a foreign jurisdiction was an infringement of her human rights. Held: Such a relationship is recognised in England as a civil … Continue reading Wilkinson v Kitzinger and others: FD 31 Jul 2006
Application for a declaration pursuant to section 55(1)(a) of the Family Law Act 1986; the declaration sought is that a marriage which was conducted on St Valentine’s Day in 2009, between AP and JP, is a valid marriage. The Honourable Mr Justice Cobb [2019] EWHC 3105 (Fam) Bailii Family Law Act 1986 55(1)(a) England and … Continue reading P v P (Transgender Applicant for Declaration of Valid Marriage): FD 20 Nov 2019
The Honourable Mr Justice Peter Jackson [2016] EWHC 2112 (Fam) Bailii Family Law Act 1986 55A England and Wales Health Professions, Children Updated: 12 December 2021; Ref: scu.568571
Application for declaration of parenthood. Sir James Munby P FD [2016] EWHC 1572 (Fam) Bailii Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, Family Law Act 1986 55A England and Wales Family Updated: 06 December 2021; Ref: scu.566438
Application by W for declaration of non-recognition of a ‘panchayat’ divorce registered in Gujarat, India Parker J [2013] EWHC 694 (Fam) Bailii Family Law Act 1986 55 England and Wales Family, International Updated: 17 November 2021; Ref: scu.513756
Application for a declaration of marital status – customary marriage ceremony in Nigeria Peter Jackson J [2015] EWFC 28 Bailii Family Law Act 1986 55(1)(a) England and Wales Family Updated: 12 November 2021; Ref: scu.549912
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
The court was asked to pierce the veil of incorporation of a company in the course of ancillary relief proceedings in a divorce. H had failed to co-operate with the court. After a comprehensive review of all the authorities, Munby J said: ‘The common theme running through all the cases in which the court has … Continue reading Ben Hashem v Ali Shayif and Another: FD 22 Sep 2008
A talaq pronounced in England as between parties who were Saudi nationals was not to be recognised in English law as a valid extra judicial overseas divorce, even though it otherwise complied with Sharia law. Section 44(1)(a) provides that no divorce obtained in any part of the British Islands is effective in any part of … Continue reading Sulaiman v Juffali: FD 9 Nov 2001
Application for a declaration in relation to the marital status of the parties pursuant to section 55 of the Family Law Act 1986. Judges: Mrs Justice Roberts Citations: [2020] EWHC 93 (Fam) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Family Updated: 01 November 2022; Ref: scu.648619
It was sought to extradite the defendant to face trial for two alleged murders. He now challenged the order for his extradition saying that his treatment in Missouri would amount to inhuman or degrading punishment in that if convicted he would face life imprisonment without the chance for parole. Held: The abolition of the death … Continue reading Wellington Regina, (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 10 Dec 2008
Tower Hamlets, having determined the applicant to be homeless, in priority need and not intentionally homeless. After she occupied temporary accomodation she was offered an alternative being told it was the council’s policy only to make one such offer. Having rejected it as unsuitable, she was given notice to quit the temporary accomodation. She then … Continue reading Regina (on the application of) Awua v Brent London Borough Council: HL 6 Jul 1995
The parties, on divorcing had a greed, under court order that W should obtain the release of H from his covenants under the mortgage of the family home. She had been unable to do so, and sought that order to be varied to allow postponement of her performance until the youngest child attained 18. H … Continue reading Birch v Birch: SC 26 Jul 2017
The claimant journalist sought disclosure of papers acquired by the respondent in its conduct of enquiries into the charitable Mariam appeal. The Commission referred to an absolute exemption under section 32(2) of the 2000 Act, saying that the exemption continued until the papers were destroyed, or for 20 years under the 1958 Act. Held: The … Continue reading Kennedy v The Charity Commission: SC 26 Mar 2014
Three prisoners raised questions as to the circumstances in which the Parole Board is required to hold an oral hearing before making an adverse decision. One of the appeals (Osborn) concerned a determinate sentence prisoner who was released on licence but then recalled to custody. The other appeals (Booth and Reilly) were indeterminate sentence prisoners … Continue reading Osborn v The Parole Board: SC 9 Oct 2013
The Court considered the procedures when a prisoner is kept in solitary confinement, otherwise described as ‘segregation’ or ‘removal from association’, and principally whether decisions to keep the appellants in segregation for substantial periods were taken lawfully. Held: The segregation was not authorised by the applicable legislation: ‘rule 45 . . (1) enables the governor … Continue reading Bourgass and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 29 Jul 2015
Application for a declaration of parentage under s 55A Family Law Act 1986 made by X Judges: Mrs Justice Theis Citations: [2022] EWFC 77 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 25 July 2022; Ref: scu.679547
The claimants had been detained under the 1971 Act, after completing sentences of imprisonment pending their return to their home countries under deportations recommended by the judges at trial, or chosen by the respondent. They challenged as unlawful the respondent’s, at first unpublished, policy introduced in 2006, that by default, those awaiting deportation should be … Continue reading Lumba (WL) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 23 Mar 2011
The claimant sought to allege race discrimination and appealed refusal by the respondents to release required documents. She had been turned down for an appointment to the Trident task force, and sought disclosure of the reasons. The respondent said that she had failed in her vetting, and that they were prohibited in law from disclosing … Continue reading Barracks v Coles and Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis: CA 21 Jul 2006
The occupier had been granted a temporary licence by the authority under the homelessness provisions whilst it made its assessment. The assessment concluded that she had become homeless intentionally, and therefore terminated the licence and set out to evict her. She claimed that the authority had to get a court authority before so evicting her. … Continue reading Desnousse v London Borough of Newham and others: CA 17 May 2006
Application was made to join in further parties to support a cross undertaking on being made subject to interim injunctions. Held: On orders other than asset freezing orders it was not open to the court to impose cross-undertakings against parties unwilling to grant them. ‘Since a cross-undertaking cannot be imposed, it follows that a fortiori … Continue reading Smithkline Beecham Plc and others v Apotex Europe Ltd and others: PatC 26 Jul 2005
Private Hearings are Not in Secret H sought an order restricting reporting of the divorce financial remedy proceedings, or an anonymity order. Held: The application was refused save as to identification of the children, and certain tax matters. The hearing was listed as in Private restricted only that certain people only were entitled to attend, … Continue reading Gallagher v Gallagher (No 1) (Reporting Restrictions): FC 13 Jun 2022
The claimants began an action in January 2003 to seek to set aside the appointment of an administrator from December 1991, and to have set aside transfers of property made within the estate. Held: The limitation period against a personal representative began to run only after one year, the executor’s year, after the grant. No … Continue reading Green and others v Gaul and Another; In re Loftus deceased: ChD 18 Mar 2005
M’s application for return of child from India – F denying jurisdiction – availability of anti-suit injunction in children cases Judges: Williams J Citations: [2019] EWHC 466 (Fam), [2019] 4 WLR 38, [2019] WLR(D) 155 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Family Law Act 1986 5(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 17 June 2022; Ref: scu.635810
Application by AD in Form C63 seeking a declaration of parentage under s55A of the Family Law Act 1986. Specifically she seeks a declaration that Patrick Aylward (now deceased) was her biological father. Judges: Mr Justice Mostyn Citations: [2022] EWFC 4 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Gallagher v Gallagher (No … Continue reading Aylward-Davies v Chesterman and Another: FC 4 Feb 2022
The claimant Reynolds challenged the differential treatment by age of jobseeker’s allowance. Carson complained that as a foreign resident pensioner, her benefits had not been uprated. The questions in each case were whether the benefit affected a ‘possession’ within the Convention or the discrimination was arbitrary so as to breach the applicants human rights. Held: … Continue reading Carson and Reynolds v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: CA 17 Jun 2003
When the Court of Appeal was asked to look at the decision of the Home Secretary on an appeal to him for asylum, the court should investigate the factual circumstances which lay behind the decision. The court must follow the practice of the European Court of Human Rights in such matters. Where the Home Secretary … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Home Department ex parte Turgut: CA 28 Jan 2000
The claimant was born an Iraqi, but had been granted British Nationality. He was later detained in Iraq suspected of membership of a terrorist group. No charges were brought, and he complained that his article 5 rights were infringed. The defendant argued that UN resolution 1546 requiring it to maintain order in Iraq displaced the … Continue reading Al-Jedda, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Defence: Admn 12 Aug 2005
The term ‘Accommodation’ in the Act was to be read to include short term lettings, and was not to be restricted to secure accommodation, and the loss of such accommodation can be counted as intentional homelessness. If a person who had been provided with accommodation in accordance with section 65(2) of the 1985 Act was … Continue reading Regina v Brent London Borough Council Ex Parte Awua: HL 6 Jul 1995
The husband sought to stay divorce proceedings commenced here by his wife, saying that they had already been divorced in Nigeria. The wife said the Nigerian proceedings should not be recognised in English law. Held: The cases established: 1) that the power was to be interpreted widely, but the powers need not be exercised if … Continue reading Duhur-Johnson v Duhur-Johnson: FD 3 May 2005
Acquisition of Habitual Residence Habitual residence can in principle be lost and another habitual residence acquired on the same day. Held: The provisions giving the courts of a member state jurisdiction also apply where there is an alternative jurisdiction in a non-member state such as the United States. The Regulation also deals with how child … Continue reading A v A and another (Children) (Children: Habitual Residence) (Reunite International Child Abduction Centre intervening): SC 9 Sep 2013
Sir Thomas Bingham MR said: ‘Different children have differing levels of understanding at the same age. And understanding is not absolute. It has to be assessed relatively to the issues in the proceedings. Where any sound judgment on these issues calls for insight and imagination which only maturity and experience can bring, both the court … Continue reading In re S (A Minor) (Independent Representation): CA 1993
The appellant, of Nigerian origin had been brought here at the age of 14 with false identity papers, and was put to work caring for the respondent’s children. In 2008 she was dismissed and ejected from the house. She brought proceedings alleging racial discrimination, but the only element of her claim which succeeded was of … Continue reading Hounga v Allen and Another: SC 30 Jul 2014
The respondent appealed against a finding that the provision which made a loan agreement completely invalid for lack of compliance with the 1974 Act was itself invalid under the Human Rights Act since it deprived the respondent lender of its property rights. It was also argued that it was not possible to make a declaration … Continue reading Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003
By an application Mrs Ivleva (formerly Yates) sought (i) recognition in this jurisdiction of a divorce granted in Ukraine in respect of her marriage to Mr Yates and (ii) the dismissal of divorce proceedings brought in this jurisdiction by Mr Yates. Held: Justice to the husband required that recognition of the Ukrainian divorce be refused. … Continue reading Ivleva v Yates: FD 4 Mar 2014
The defendants, young boys, had set fire to paper and thrown the lit papers into a wheelie bin, expecting the fire to go out. In fact substantial damage was caused. The House was asked whether a conviction was proper under the section where the defendant had given no thought to a risk of damage, but … Continue reading Regina v G and R: HL 16 Oct 2003
Applications by H for declarations that a divorce granted in 2009 in Dubai is entitled to recognition in England and Wales under s.45 of the 1986 Act, and of status under s.55 of the Act, and going with that his application to strike out the prayer in the petition brought by the respondent in this … Continue reading Radseresht v Radseresht-Spain: FD 13 Oct 2017
The deceased was shot by police officers raiding his flat in 1998. The claimants sought damages for his estate. They had succeeded in claiming damages for false imprisonment, but now appealed dismissal of their claim for damages for assault and misfeasance. The judge below had accepted that the officer had acted in self-defence, and entered … Continue reading Ashley and Another v Sussex Police: CA 27 Jul 2006
Sir James Munby P, Black, Underhill LJJ [2015] EWCA Civ 886 Bailii Children Act 1989, Family Law Act 1986 1 2 3 England and Wales Children, International Updated: 03 January 2022; Ref: scu.551019
The trustee in bankruptcy sought to oblige the bankrupt to make a capital draw on pension fund assets in order to support an Income Payment Order. Held: The judge dismissed the application for an IPO. The court had no power under section 310 of the 1986 Act to make an income payments order in respect … Continue reading Horton v Henry: ChD 17 Dec 2014
‘These proceedings concern a family of Turkish/Cypriot origin that has been broken apart as a result of allegations of extreme violence perpetrated by the father. Following the allegations in 2010, the mother and the three children of the family, all girls hereafter referred to as X, Y and Z, then aged respectively 17, 14 and … Continue reading P v D and Others: FD 24 Jul 2014
The parties disputed the effect of a talaq divorce granted to H in Pakistan. W disputed that notice of the divorce had been served upon her. The notice was not now available. Held: H’s evidence was credible. Sumner J [2007] EWHC 2945 (Fam), [2008] 2 FLR 857 Bailii Family Law Act 1986 46 51(3) 55 … Continue reading H v H: FD 12 Dec 2007
The parties were engaged in ancillary relief proceedings. The Husband complained that the wife had sought to use unlawfully obtained information, and in these proceedings sought delivery up of the material from the wife and her solicitors. He said that the information was subject to professional legal privilege and was otherwise confidential. They had admitted … Continue reading L v L and Hughes Fowler Carruthers: QBD 1 Feb 2007
Evidence Needed to Share Benefical Inerests The family home had been purchased during the marriage in the name of the husband only. The wife asserted that she had a beneficial interest in it. Held: The principles apply to any case where a beneficial interest in land is claimed by a person, whether spouse or stranger, … Continue reading Gissing v Gissing: HL 7 Jul 1970
H has no right to sexual intercourse with W – rape The defendant appealed against his conviction for having raped his wife, saying that intercourse with his wife was necessarily lawful, and therefore outside the statutory definition of rape. Due to the matrimonial difficulties, the wife had left their matrimonial house and gone to her … Continue reading Regina v R: HL 23 Oct 1991
Same Sex Partner Entitled to tenancy Succession The protected tenant had died. His same-sex partner sought a statutory inheritance of the tenancy. Held: His appeal succeeded. The Fitzpatrick case referred to the position before the 1998 Act: ‘Discriminatory law undermines the rule of law because it is the antithesis of fairness. It brings the law … Continue reading Ghaidan v Godin-Mendoza: HL 21 Jun 2004
The trustees of a tennis club took possession of tennis courts and a clubhouse under a lease, and sought a new lease under the 1954 Act. The landlord said that they were only licensees and in any event were not entitled to a new lease since they were not a business. The agreement clearly and … Continue reading Addiscombe Garden Estates Ltd v Crabbe: CA 1957
The various claimants sought damages for established breaches of their human rights involving breaches of statutory duty by way of maladministration. Does the state have a duty to provide support so as to avoid a threat to the family life of the claimant? Held: A finding that a Convention right has been infringed, including a … Continue reading Anufrijeva and Another v London Borough of Southwark: CA 16 Oct 2003
The court was asked as to the extent to which a court, having once declared its decision, could later change its mind. Though this case arose with in care proceedings, the court asked it as a general question. The judge in a fact finding hearing in care proceedings had issued a provisional judgment, but after … Continue reading Re L and B (Children): SC 20 Feb 2013
Parish Councils are Hybrid Public Authorities The owners of glebe land were called upon as lay rectors to contribute to the cost of repairs to the local church. They argued that the claim was unlawful by section 6 of the 1998 Act as an act by a public authority incompatible with a Convention right. Held: … Continue reading Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Aston Cantlow and Wilmcote with Billesley, Warwickshire v Wallbank and another: HL 26 Jun 2003
The appellants had been convicted of assault, after having engaged in consensual acts of sado-masochism in which they inflicted varying degreees of physical self harm. They had pleaded guilty after a ruling that the prosecution had not needed to prove the absence of consent. They said it was their human right to give consent to … Continue reading Regina v Brown (Anthony); Regina v Lucas; etc: HL 11 Mar 1993
No presumption for Mother on Relocation The mother applied for leave to return to New Zealand taking with the parties’ daughter aged four. The father opposed the move, saying that allowing the move would infringe his and the child’s right to family life. He had been refused residence. Held: The move was a serious interference … Continue reading Payne v Payne; P v P: CA 13 Feb 2001
The claimants had been in coaches being driven to take part in a demonstration at an air base. The defendant police officers stopped the coaches en route, and, without allowing any number of the claimants to get off, returned the coaches to London. The officer acted saying that he feared a breach of the peace … Continue reading Laporte, Regina (on the application of ) v Chief Constable of Gloucestershire: HL 13 Dec 2006
Islamic Nikah Ceremony did not create a marriage The parties had undertaken, in 1998, an Islamic marriage ceremony, a Nikah. They both knew at the time that to be effective in UK law, there would need to be a civil ceremony, and intended but did not achieve one. The parties having settled their dispute, the … Continue reading Her Majesty’s Attorney General v Akhter and Another: CA 14 Feb 2020
The applicant sought that the decrees nisi and absolute of divorce issued by the High Court of Malaya at Shah Alam in favour of the respondent husband be refused recognition in England and Wales. Held: The application was granted: ‘the husband and his solicitor engaged in sharp practice in obtaining the divorce in Malaysia. A … Continue reading Liaw v Lee (Recognition of Divorce): FD 3 Jun 2015
Whether married – married in Accra Ghana in tribal custom marriage. . .
The applicant sought to succeed to the tenancy of his deceased homosexual partner as his partner rather than as a member of his family.
Held: A court is bound by any decision within the normal hierachy of domestic authority as to the meaning . .
At the claimants alleged that the rules requiring a foreign spouse or partner of a British citizen or a person settled in this country to pass a test of competence in the English language before coming to live here were an unjustifiable interference . .
(Grand Chamber) When considering the appropriateness of a deportation order to a country with which the deporting country had a memorandum of understanding that the destination country would not torture the deportee, a court must look beyond the . .
References: (1843) 3 Hare 100, [1843] EngR 917, (1843) 67 ER 313 Links: Commonlii Coram: Sir James Wigram VC The court set down the principles to be applied in abuse of process cases, where a matter was raised again which should have been dealt with in earlier proceedings. Sir James Wigram VC said: ‘In trying … Continue reading Henderson v Henderson; 20 Jul 1843
