The court heard an application with regard to a proposed change of a child’s surname. The child was living en famille with its mother, stepfather and half-sister. It heard evidence from a distinguished psychologist that ‘when they grew older, children were often greatly concerned with their biological origin’
Held: The application to change the child’s surname was refused. Latey J said: ‘Today divorce was commonplace. The fact that the children’s surname was different from that of the mother and their half-sister would not cause embarrassment. The children would have a better sense of security if there was cooperation between the parents and the step-father.’
Judges:
Latey J
Citations:
Times 31-Jul-1978
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Cited by:
Approved – W v A (Minor: Surname) CA 1981
The mother of the child sought to change the child’s surname from that of the child’s father to that of her new husband.
Held: The application was refused. Dunn LJ referred to the importance of maintaining the child’s links with the paternal . .
Cited – Dawson v Wearmouth HL 4-Feb-1999
The parents were unmarried. The mother had registered the child under her former partner’s surname. The father sought an order that his name be used instead. The mother’s apeal against an order to that effect had succeeded.
Held: The father’s . .
Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete.
Children
Updated: 10 May 2022; Ref: scu.270803