The mother applied for financial provision for her daughter. The father said the court did not have jurisdiction to make an order. An agreement had been reached between them under French law acknowledging F’s paternity and otherwise. Judges: Sir Nicholas wall P Citations: [2010] EWHC 1453 (Fam), [2011] 1 FLR 109, [2010] Fam Law 923 … Continue reading M v V: FD 23 Jun 2010
Children appealed against dismissal of their care proceedings on the basis that the threshold had not been reached. The parents resisted. Held: It could not be said that the decision so plainly wrong that the judge’s conclusion on the facts could be set aside. Citations: [2009] EWCA Civ 853, [2010] 1 FLR 431, [2010] 1 … Continue reading Re MA and Others (Children): CA 31 Jul 2009
The plaintiff worked as a plumber. His work took him to a private children’s home. An allegation of sexual abuse was made against him by a 13 year old child. She had made other claims against other men which had proved to be false. He was released by the police without charge. The local authority … Continue reading Regina v Norfolk County Council, ex parte M: QBD 1989
The mother of the child on behalf of whom the application was made, was to face trial for murder. The child was in care and an order was sought to restrain publiction of material which might reveal his identity, including matters arising during the trial. Held: (Hale LJ dissenting) The court in this case was … Continue reading Re S (A Child): CA 10 Jul 2003
The claimant sought to enforce a judgment debt against a foreign resident company, and for this purpose to examine or have examined a director who lived abroad. The defendant said that the rules gave no such power and they did, the power was outside the rule-maker’s power. Held: Even though the rule-making power is wide … Continue reading Masri v Consolidated Contractors International Co Sal and Others: HL 30 Jul 2009
The court took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of parental responsibility as an incident of family life. McFarlane LJ said: ‘Whether or not a parent has parental responsibility is not simply a matter that achieves the ticking of a box on a form. It is a significant matter of status as between parent and … Continue reading In re W (Children) (Direct Contact): CA 24 Jul 2012
No child benefit was payable in respect of a child who was in the voluntary care of the Local Authority. Citations: Times 10-May-1996 Statutes: Children Act 1989 20, Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Benefits, Children Updated: 31 October 2022; Ref: scu.83561
Application by a number of newspapers in order to clarify the terms and effect of an injunction granted in the course of care proceedings under The Children Act 1989 relating to a six-year old child Judges: Sir Mark Potter, P Citations: [2005] EWHC 1832 (Fam), 1832.html Cite as: [2005] EWHC 1832 (Fam), Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: … Continue reading A Local Authority v PD and others: FD 10 Aug 2005
Court should make final order when possible – not adjourn. Citations: Ind Summary 10-May-1993 Statutes: Children Act 1989 38 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.85846
Court only to invoke wardship jurisdiction if the Children Act 1989 gives no answer. Citations: Times 10-May-1993 Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.82220
Appeal against order as to media arrangements for fact finding hearing.McFarlane LJ said: ‘In the present case, Jackson J used the power available to him to move from the default position so as to allow a controlled degree of publicity. This was a matter for the judge’s discretion. It was common ground before this court … Continue reading Re W (Children): CA 25 Feb 2016
(Plenary Court) The applicant was held in prison in the UK, pending extradition to the US to face allegations of murder, for which he faced the risk of the death sentence, which would be unlawful in the UK. If extradited, a representation would be made to the judge at the time of sentencing that the … Continue reading Soering v The United Kingdom: ECHR 7 Jul 1989
Mother’s application for leave to appeal against order prohibiting further applications in relation to the child without the court’s permission. Judges: Ward LJ Citations: [2010] EWCA Civ 1296 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 91(14) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 26 September 2022; Ref: scu.426740
The claimants sought judicial review in respect of the alleged failure of the London Borough of Croydon Council, as local education authority, to make suitable provision for their education, and more generally in respect of the alleged failings of the Council to provide sufficient secondary schooling in its area. The claimants are children, each of … Continue reading KS and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v London Borough of Croydon: Admn 20 Oct 2010
Claim for judicial review of a decision of the defendant local authority to refuse to provide accommodation and support to the claimants, together with their parents, under section 17 of the Children Act 1989. Judges: Leggatt J Citations: [2013] EWHC 1205 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Local Government, Children, Housing Updated: 15 September … Continue reading MN and Another v London Borough of Hackney: Admn 10 May 2013
Judges: Baron J Citations: [2010] EWHC 3792 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Child Support Updated: 13 September 2022; Ref: scu.440454
The father appealed against an order restraining him from taking further contact proceedings. Judges: Mummery, Rimer, Black LLJ Citations: [2010] EWCA Civ 1449 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 91(14) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 03 September 2022; Ref: scu.430479
In each case litigants in person had sought to be allowed to have the assistance and services of a Mackenzie friend in children cases. In one case, the court had not allowed confidential documents to be disclosed to the friend. Held: The courts had been unhelpful to the parties appearing before them. If given access … Continue reading O and others (Children); In re O (Children), In re W-R (a Child), In re W (Children): CA 22 Jun 2005
The mother appealed against refusal of a specific issue order requested to allow her to remove the four children with her from Cleveland to Stronsay in the Orkneys. Both parents were GPs and accepted to be excellent parents. She and her new partner had accepted an offer to work as GPs on Stronsay. Held: The … Continue reading In re F (Children): CA 27 Oct 2010
The father appealed against orders made in the county court in the course of child contact enforcement proceedings. He had residence of the child, but had repeatedly failed to make his son available for contact at the times ordered causing financial loss to the mother who had travelled to see him. Held: With minor exceptions, … Continue reading Re L-W (Children) (Enforcement and Committal: Contact); CPL v CH-W and Others: CA 4 Nov 2010
The claimant had had foster care of two children. They were with temporary respite placements when the respondent decided to place in a different foster setting but without consulting the claimant or otherwise giving him notice. Held: (ex tempore) The request was granted. There was no general duty at common law to consult with a … Continue reading Bewry, Regina (on The Application of) v Norfolk County Council: Admn 6 Oct 2010
Judges: Baker J Citations: [2010] EWHC 2503 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Human Rights Act 1998 7 8, Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children, Human Rights Updated: 25 August 2022; Ref: scu.425315
The court considered the duties of disclosure in applications for care orders. Judges: Sir Nicholas Wall P Citations: [2010] EWHC 2528 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 31(3) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 25 August 2022; Ref: scu.425316
The court was asked upon whom falls the financial burden of providing accommodation to an eighteen year old asylum seeker who is also a ‘former relevant child’, to the extent that his welfare requires it, where the asylum seeker is not in education or training. Does it fall upon the local authority, pursuant to its … Continue reading SO, Regina (on The Application of) v London Borough of Barking and Dagenham: CA 12 Oct 2010
Application by a local authority for permission to withdraw care proceedings pursuant to FPR 1991 4.5; it is supported by the parents and by W (a party in his own right). The guardian advocates that no order should be made in this case but is less confident in (but does not seek to oppose) withdrawal … Continue reading WSCC v M and Others: FD 30 Jul 2010
A child who was the subject of an application under the Act has welfare priority over even his own child-parent’s upbringing. Citations: Independent 01-Apr-1994, Times 10-Mar-1994 Statutes: Children Act 1989 31 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 21 August 2022; Ref: scu.80441
The court was asked whether and if so, on what basis a Court considering an application for a care order in respect of a young person with lifelong disabilities should transfer the case to the Court of Protection to be dealt with under the Mental Capacity Act, 2005, rather than the Children Act, 1989. Judges: … Continue reading B (A Local Authority) v RM and Others: FD 15 Oct 2010
Judges: Symons QC J Citations: [2010] EWHC 49 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 2004 11, Children Act 1989 17 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 13 August 2022; Ref: scu.392987
Judges: Thorpe, Wall, Patten LJJ Citations: [2009] EWCA Civ 1405, [2010] 1 FCR 305, (2010) 112 BMLR 101, [2010] Fam Law 235 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 11 August 2022; Ref: scu.392511
Twins were conjoined (Siamese). Medically, both could not survive, and one was dependent upon the vital organs of the other. Doctors applied for permission to separate the twins which would be followed by the inevitable death of one of them. The parents, devout Roman Catholics, resisted. Held: The parents’ views were subject to the overriding … Continue reading In Re A (Minors) (Conjoined Twins: Medical Treatment); aka In re A (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation): CA 22 Sep 2000
At the council’s independent, single-sex grammar schools there were more places available for boys than girls. Consequently the council were obliged to set a higher pass mark for girls than boys in the grammar school entrance examination. Held: The council, as local education authority, had discriminated against girls. Discrimination can take place when a woman … Continue reading Regina v Birmingham City Council ex parte Equal Opportunities Commission: HL 1989
Judges: Sir Mark Potter P Citations: [2008] EWHC 3000 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Taxes Management, Child Support Updated: 21 July 2022; Ref: scu.278658
The mother had courted publicity for herself and her daughter. The local authority sought a care order, and an interim order made. It was anticipated that there was media interest in continued identification of the child (whose name as anonymised for this report). The authority sought an order restricting identification of the child and associated … Continue reading In re Jane (A Child): FD 1 Nov 2010
Exceptional circumstances might exist such that the need to protect a child’s primary carer would require the court to safeguard that at the expense of the immediate consideration of the welfare of the children. Here, contact had been established after the separation, but the father suffered a degenerative disease, and threatened his own suicide, and … Continue reading In re H (Children) (Contact Order) ( No 2): FD 22 Jun 2001
The Court allowed an appeal by parents against a judge’s conclusion that their children had suffered and were likely to suffer significant harm and it remitted the issue for re-hearing. The professional evidence had been that the parents’ deficiencies had had ‘subtle and ambiguous consequences’ for the children. Such consequences could not amount to significant … Continue reading Re L (Children), (Care Proceedings: Significant Harm): CA 25 Aug 2006
Guidance on the incorporation of time for judgment writing when determining the timetable, under section 32 of the Children Act 1989, for the disposal of an application for a care or supervision order. Judges: Aikens, McFarlane, Bean LJJ Citations: [2015] EWCA Civ 606, [2016] 1 WLR 14, [2015] WLR(D) 264, [2015] Fam Law 1054 Links: … Continue reading In re T (Children): CA 18 Jun 2015
Appeal against a decision of the High Court that a fact-finding judgment in proceedings under the Children Act 1989 should be published with the names of the father and the mother included, and only relatively modest redactions, primarily aimed at mitigating the impact of publication on the couple’s infant child. The appellant is the father, … Continue reading Griffiths v Tickle and Others: CA 10 Dec 2021
The child was placed for adoption. In the period before adoption, contact with her family continued. The prospective adopters said that this was unsettling. Held: It would be unusual to make an order for contact against the wishes of the proposed adopters. Their wishes were not unreasonable, and the order reducing contact was upheld. Judges: … Continue reading In re R (a Child) (Adoption: Contact): CA 18 Aug 2005
The maternal grandmother sought permission to intervene in care proceedings to put herself forward as the carer of her young grandchild. The local authority and the guardian objected to the intervention. The judge had refused it. The grandmother appealed. Held: The appeal was allowed. When considering such an application for leave to make an application … Continue reading In re H (Children): CA 2003
The defendant and his wife separated when she left the flat they shared. She accepted a new tenancy of other premises. The landlord claimed possession of the flat, saying that the tenancy had ended. Held: There was no express surrender within the 1989 Act. The landlord claimed an implied surrender under the 1925 Act. That … Continue reading Ealing Family Housing Association Ltd v McKenzie: CA 10 Oct 2003
The applicant complained of ill-treatment while he was in the care of a local authority and living with foster parents. He sought access to his case records held by the local authority but his request was denied. Held: The refusal to allow him access to his records involved a breach of his rights under Article … Continue reading Gaskin v The United Kingdom: ECHR 7 Jul 1989
The court was asked, in proceedings for care and supervision orders under the Act, what have the local authority to be in a position to prove at the time when they make the application? To what extent can they rely upon evidence, which emerges, or events, which take place between the date of the application … Continue reading G (Children): CA 22 Jun 2001
Citations: [1997] EWHC Admin 997 Statutes: Children Act 1989 109 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Local Government, Licensing Updated: 26 May 2022; Ref: scu.137942
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
The applicants were members of six homeless families who had occupied accommodation in Northern Ireland. The council concluded that members of each household except one had been guilty of criminal and anti-social behaviour, as a result of which the IRA had threatened that they would all be killed unless they left Northern Ireland within 72 … Continue reading Regina v London Borough of Hammersmith, ex parte P: QBD 1989
Citations: Ind Summary 27-Feb-1995, Times 10-Feb-1995 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1991 60(3), Children Act 1989 25 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 15 May 2022; Ref: scu.83099
A shared residence order may be still made if it is needed, but it remains an unusual order. Connell J discussed the guidance given as to shared residence orderButler-Sloss LJ said: ‘Miss Moulder, representing the father, accepts that the conventional order still is that there would be residence to one parent with contact to the … Continue reading A v A (Children: Shared Residence Order): CA 3 Feb 1994
The Court of Appeal had imposed conditions upon the care plan to be implemented by the local authorities, identifying certain ‘starred’ essential milestones. The local authorities appealed. Held: This was not a legitimate extension of the powers contained in the 1989 Act. There exist clear problems in local authorities implementing care plans, and those difficulties … Continue reading Re S (Children: Care Plan); In re W and B (Children: Care plan) In re W (Child: Care plan): HL 14 Mar 2002
As part of the modernisation and reform of civil procedure, all the principal Court of Appeal practice directions are consolidated now into this one document handed down by the court.‘2. Permission to appeal2.1 When is permission required?2.1.1. Most appeals require the permission of the court below (the court which made the decision which is challenged) … Continue reading Practice Direction (Court of Appeal) (Civil Division): CA 19 Apr 1999
Immediately after a child was born, the social worker began proceedings for it to be taken into care. The judge severely criticised the actions of the social worker before the birth. The local authority now appealed against an order at the conclusion of care proceedings that they should pay each parent damages in the sum … Continue reading In re V (a Child) (Care: pre-birth actions): CA 12 Oct 2004
Administrative Discretion to be Used Reasonably The applicant challenged the manner of decision making as to the conditions which had been attached to its licence to open the cinema on Sundays. It had not been allowed to admit children under 15 years of age. The statute provided no appeal procedure, and the applicant sought a … Continue reading Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation: CA 10 Nov 1947
An order was sought to protect from publicity a child whose mother faced trial for the murder of his brother. The child was now in care. Held: The court must balance the need to protect the child with the need for freedom of the press. The issue in the case was not itself about the … Continue reading In re S (A Child) (Identification: Restrictions on Publication): CA 10 Jul 2003
A Children and Family reporter became concerned at the possibility of abuse of children as a result of information gained whilst involved in private law proceedings. He sought to report those concerns to the statutory authorities. It had become clear that it was crucially important that professions within the child care professions must communicate properly … Continue reading In re M (a Child) (Disclosure: Children and Family Reporter): CA 31 Jul 2002
The Court considered the role of the wardship court where the police wished to caution a ward of court. The question fell into two parts. In relation to the first, Cazalet J said this: ‘The decision as to whether to caution in lieu of prosecuting is a matter which is wholly within the discretion of … Continue reading In re A (A Minor) (Wardship: Police Caution): FD 28 Jun 1989
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
Two children were born in Norway to a British mother (M) and Norwegian father (F). Having lived in Norway, M brought them to England to stay, but without F’s knowledge or consent. M replied to his application for their return that the children would be at risk if returned, alleging psychological abuse by F. She … Continue reading Re E (Children) (Abduction: Custody Appeal): SC 10 Jun 2011
(Court of Appeal of New South Wales) Samuels JA discussed the circumstances in which a non-delegable duty of care arises: ‘It arises from a relationship which combines the dependence of A upon the reasonable care, skill and judgment of B with the legitimate expectation that B will ensure that those qualities will be exercised in … Continue reading Ellis v Wallsend District Hospital: 1989
The court had already made an order about the way in which the health professionals were able to look after a severely disabled baby girl; an injunction was granted prohibiting identification of the child, her parents, her current carers and the hospital where she was being looked after. Although the child herself would know nothing … Continue reading Re C (Wardship: Medical Treatment) (No 2): CA 1989
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
It was no longer appropriate for family courts to hear applications for leave to apply for contact without requiring or allowing attendance of the parties and to make such decisions without recording the reasons. Such an application required the court to weigh the merits of the proposed application, and such a procedure required the parties … Continue reading In Re W (A Minor) (Contact Application Procedure): FD 12 Oct 1999
Parent may have to state whereabouts, but need not give progress report. Citations: Times 10-Nov-1993 Statutes: Children Act 1989 8 11(7) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 28 April 2022; Ref: scu.82013
Citations: [2018] EWHC 936 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children, Human Rights Updated: 13 April 2022; Ref: scu.609105
Prior leave applications for contact etc on applications to the court by children should be made to High Court. Citations: Gazette 31-Mar-1993 Statutes: Children Act 1989 10 Children Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.84960
The father appealed an order refusing him direct contact with the child. The judge had made the order because he considered that the mother’s hostility to contact made it likely that her health would suffer if contact was ordered, and that the children’s health would suffer in turn. Held: The appeal was allowed. Stopping a … Continue reading In Re P (Minors) (Contact): CA 15 May 1996
A failure by a magistrate first to record his reasons in writing before announcing his decision did not vitiate the order made. Much time could be saved by this, and family courts should not get bound up in minor procedural issues. It was within the magistrates’ discretion to order only indirect contact where the mother … Continue reading In Re P (Minors) (Contact: Discretion): FD 9 Sep 1998
Care orders etc may be made for any child within the jurisdiction wherever in fact they are resident. Citations: Gazette 05-Feb-1997, Times 10-Dec-1996 Statutes: Children Act 1989 Part IV Part V, Children Act 1989 Part IV Part V Children Updated: 08 April 2022; Ref: scu.82018
In Smith, the lender instructed a valuer who knew that the buyer and mortgagee were likely to rely on his valuation alone. The valuer said his terms excluded responsibility. The mortgagor had paid an inspection fee to the building society and received a copy of the report, and relying on it, had bought the house. … Continue reading Smith v Eric S Bush, a firm etc: HL 20 Apr 1989
The local authority had applied for a care order under the court’s inherent wardship jurisdiction in connection with a family where three children suffered a potentially life threatening disease, Rasmussens’s encephalitis. The parents were said to be not co-operating with the medical team. The authority now sought permission to withdraw its application. Held: The application … Continue reading LA v SB and Others: CA 12 Jul 2010
Purchas LJ said: ‘the phrase ‘substantial ground for the making of an application for such an order’ is clearly central to the issues in this application . . [i]n particular when the court comes to consider such an application, it will have to take into account under s. 16(1) whether in all the circumstances of … Continue reading Holmes v Holmes: CA 1989
The court considered whether it had the power to make an open ended passport order. Judges: Sir James Munby P FD, Black LJ Citations: [2017] EWCA Civ 69, [2017] WLR(D) 102 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 31 January 2022; Ref: scu.575336
The claimants alleged negligence causing them personal injury and other losses arising from pollution from mining operations of the defendants in Zambia. The company denied jurisdiction. In the Court of Appeal the defendants’ appeals were dismissed. Held: The appeals failed save that the UK was not the proper jurisdiction to bring the case. The claim … Continue reading Vedanta Resources Plc and Another v Lungowe and Others: SC 10 Apr 2019
Judgment on the preliminary issue of whether this court has jurisdiction to hear an application for a child arrangements order under s.8 of the Children Act 1989 when the child and parents concerned all live abroad. [2021] EWFC 105 Bailii England and Wales Jurisdiction, Children Updated: 21 January 2022; Ref: scu.671046
Application brought by the London Borough of Sutton for a care order under Part IV of the Children Act 1989. NH is also, as at the date of this hearing, under section pursuant to section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983. MacDonal J [2016] EWHC 1371 (Fam) Bailii Children Act 1989, Mental Health Act … Continue reading London Borough of Sutton v MH (No 2): FD 10 Jun 2016
Reasons for directing a re-consideration of findings of fact made within Part IV Children Act 1989 care proceedings, following an investigation into the cause of life-threatening injuries to a 10 month old baby boy. Cobb J [2016] EWHC 326 (Fam) Bailii England and Wales Children Updated: 10 January 2022; Ref: scu.560255
‘This appeal concerns the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. It raises general questions relating to: (1) the place which the habitual residence of the child occupies in the scheme of that Convention, and (2) whether and when a wrongful retention of a child may occur if the travelling parent originally … Continue reading Re C (Children): SC 14 Feb 2018
Both parents had parental responsibility. The French mother wished to return to live in France and to take the five year old child with her, applying to court for the appropriate order. Held: The court pointed to the real difficulties always in such applications, and traced the development of the case law from the introduction … Continue reading In re AR (A Child: Relocation): FD 10 Jun 2010
The local authority was investigating allegations involving the family history of children in their care. They sought disclosure by the respondent police authority of the results DNA comparison tests to assist their investigations. The court considered whether a matching report on a DNA sample itself was derived from the sample. Held: Disclosure could not be … Continue reading London Borough of Lewisham v D and Others: FD 29 Mar 2010
Whether the Respondent is a parent under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 so that the court has jurisdiction to make an order against her for financial relief. Mr Justice Moylan [2010] EWHC 1444 (Fam), [2010] 1 Fam 193, [2010] Fam 193, [2011] 1 All ER 77, [2011] 1 FCR 1, [2010] 3 WLR … Continue reading T v B: FD 16 Jun 2010
Appeal from a dismissal of an application by the Appellant Mother of an application made under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 for a lump sum payment for the benefit of her daughter to meet, or to contribute to, (a) the costs of the Schedule 1 claim (the Schedule 1 proceedings) and (b) proceedings … Continue reading CF v KM: FD 13 Jul 2010
The court was asked whether, where a party loses mental capacity in the course of proceedings, such loss of capacity has the automatic and immediate effect of terminating their solicitor’s retainer. The Costs judge had held that, as a matter of law, a supervening incapacity even if intermittent, automatically frustrates and thereby terminates a contract … Continue reading Blankley v Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospitals NHS Trust: QBD 5 Feb 2014
The claimant sought judicial review of the refusal by the defendant to treat him as a ‘former relevant child’ within the meaning of section 23C of the Children Act 1989. Were he to be so treated he would be entitled to a range of services under the Children Act. Thirlwall J [2013] EWHC 4243 (Admin) … Continue reading R, Regina (on The Application of) v London Borough of Croydon: Admn 10 Feb 2012
The defendant faced extradition to the USA on charges of the obstruction of justice. He challenged the extradition on the basis that it would interfere with his article 8 rights to family life, given that the offence was merely ancillary, the result would be disproportionate. The court was asked whether in order to found such … Continue reading Norris v Government of United States of America: SC 24 Feb 2010
The father applied to the court to have the media excluded from the hearing into the residence and contact claims relating to his daughter. Held: It was for the party seeking such an order to justify it. In deciding whether or not to exclude the press in the welfare or privacy interests of a party … Continue reading Child X (Residence and Contact- Rights of Media Attendance) (Rev 2): FD 14 Jul 2009
The court considered whether discriminatory acts after the termination of employment were caught by the respective anti-discrimination Acts. The acts included a failure to give proper references. They pursued claims on the basis of victimisation after their primary discrimination claims. Held: The 1975 and 1976 Acts were similarly phrased and the wording in the 1995 … Continue reading Relaxion Group plc v Rhys-Harper; D’Souza v London Borough of Lambeth; Jones v 3M Healthcare Limited and three other actions: HL 19 Jun 2003
The court considered the approach to be taken when considering whether to order a child’s attendance at court in care proceedings. It was argued that the starting point of assuming that a child should not attend, failed to respect the human right to a fair trial of all concerned. Held: The existing law erects a … Continue reading In re W (Children) (Family proceedings: Evidence) (Abuse: Oral Evidence): SC 3 Mar 2010
Child’s Wish for post-mortem cryonic Preservation JS, a child of 14, anticipating her death from cancer expressed the desire that her body should receive cryonic preservation in the hope that one day a treatment might be available to allow her to be revived, and proceedings were issued. Her parents were divorced, and they differed as … Continue reading Re JS (Disposal of Body): FD 10 Nov 2016
The local authority had obtained a care order so that it could inform the three children of the identity of their father’s first marriage, the mother and father being unwilling to make the disclosure. He had been convicted of relatively minor indecent assaults on two children in that first family, but in later therapy sessions … Continue reading In re M (Children): CA 1 Jul 2011
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
The parties had been a lesbian couple each with children. Each now was in a new relationship. One registered the two daughters of the other at a school now local to her but without first consulting the birth mother, who then applied for residence and or contact. The other mother took the children secretly to … Continue reading In Re G (A Minor) (Interim Care Order: Residential Assessment); G (Children), In Re (Residence: Same Sex Partner): HL 26 Jul 2006
Three children, after their parents’ separation, spent substantial amounts of time with each, despite the acrimony between their parents and frequent court applications. The father argued that without a shared residence order he was treated as a second-class parent by authorities with whom he had to deal over matters relating to the children. The judge … Continue reading In Re D v D (Children) (Shared Residence Orders): CA 20 Nov 2000
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
Judicial review was sought of a decision by the respondent to prosecute a child for her alleged sexual abuse of her younger sisters. Agencies other than the police and CPS considered that a prosecution would harm both the applicant and her sisters. It was said that the applicant had herself been groomed by an adult … Continue reading E and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v The Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 10 Jun 2011
The deceased soldier died of heat exhaustion whilst on active service in Iraq. It was said that he was owed a duty under human rights laws, and that any coroner’s inquest should be a fuller one to satisfy the state’s duty under Article 2. Held: The SSD’s appeal succeeded. ‘jurisdiction’ within the meaning of Article … Continue reading Smith, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Defence and Oxfordshire Assistant Deputy Coroner (Equality and Human Rights Commission intervening): SC 30 Jun 2010
Bingham LJ discussed the nature of frustration of contract: ‘The essence of frustration is that it is caused by some unforeseen supervening event over which the parties to the contract have no control and for which they are therefore not responsible. To say that the supervening event occurs without the default or blame or responsibility … Continue reading Lauritzen A/A v Wijsmuller BV;( ‘The Super Servant Two’): CA 12 Oct 1989
Proceedings for LA to change child’s nationality Two children taken into care were of Indian nationality, though born in the UK. The LA wanted to apply for UK nationality so as to regularise their immigration status. The parents objected. The parents now appealed from rejection of their requests for the discharge of the long standing … Continue reading Y (Children In Care: Change of Nationality): CA 6 Aug 2020
The mother had failed in her application to have set aside a special guardianship order made in favour of the child’s grandmother. The judge had held that the change in her circumstances was not significant. Held: Her appeal succeeded. The statutes contained inconsistencies as to the levels of change required to support an application, and … Continue reading In re G (A Child) (Special guardianship order: Application to discharge): CA 10 Feb 2010
Anticipating a refusal by H to disclose assets in ancillary relief proceedings, W’s brothers wrongfully accessed H’s computers to gather information. The court was asked whether the rule in Hildebrand remained correct. W appealed against an order restraining her use of the information obtained, saying that ‘the law which protects Mr Imerman’s confidential information and … Continue reading Tchenguiz and Others v Imerman: CA 29 Jul 2010
The mother had been, whilst in a previous relationship, involved in care proceedings after the death from physical abuse of her baby. Whilst being severely critical of her, the court had been unable to identify the author of the child’s death. Now, whilst in a later relationship she gave birth to a further child of … Continue reading In re J (Children): SC 20 Feb 2013
The applicant asylum-seeker had arrived in Hillingdon and claimed that he required assistance, that he was a child, and that he wanted to go to Liverpool. Hillingdon had assisted him to do so. Liverpool now appealed against a finding that it was responsible to provide care for him. Held: The appeal succeeded. Hillingdon had a … Continue reading Liverpool City Council, Regina (on the Application of) v London Borough of Hillingdon and Another: CA 10 Feb 2009
This case concerns a claimant with fluctuating capacity to conduct legal proceedings. At a time when she had capacity, she retained a firm of solicitors under a conditional fee agreement. The issue was whether the CFA terminated automatically by reason of frustration when she subsequently lost capacity, so that it did not govern the continued … Continue reading Blankley v Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospitals NHS Trust: CA 27 Jan 2015
