Judges: Mrs Justice Roberts Citations: [2021] EWFC 21 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 15 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 25 September 2022; Ref: scu.659466
The father was a very wealthy Iranian, and the mother also had capital. She sought an assessment under the 1991 Act of the amount he should be asked to pay. The assessment came to andpound;152 per week, but he was paying andpound;1,200 a month voluntarily. An order under the 1989 Act could not be made … Continue reading P (Child), Re (Child: Financial Provision): CA 24 Jun 2003
Citations: [2001] EWCA Civ 1305, [2001] 3 FCR 164, [2001] 3 FCR 164 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 38(6) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Kent County Council v G and others HL 24-Nov-2005 A residential assessment order had been made under the 1989 Act in care proceedings. When the centre recommended … Continue reading C (Children), Re (Residential Assessment): CA 4 Jul 2001
The mother sought an increase in the order for child maintenance made in order to pay her legal fees. Judges: Bennett J Citations: [2003] EWHC 2657 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Child Support Updated: 19 November 2022; Ref: scu.279037
The father sought leave to appeal a care order and an order releasing his child for adoption. Held: The court applied Re W as to the extent of the duty of the appellate court in such matters. The appeal would stand no reasonable prospect of success. Leave was refused. Judges: Wall LJ Citations: [2007] EWCA … Continue reading Re F and H (Children): CA 24 Aug 2007
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
C was born with a liver defect. After a failed operation, the parents, both caring health professionals, decided not to put him through major surgery again. The local authority and doctors obtained an order to allow a potentially life saving liver transplant. The parents now appealed. Held: The appeal succeeded.Butler-Sloss LJ said: ‘it is clear … Continue reading In re T (a Minor): CA 24 Oct 1996
The court may impose detailed conditions on the form of indirect contact. His Lordship set out the relevant principles: ‘1 Overriding all else, as provided by section 1(1) of the Children Act 1989, the welfare of the child was the paramount consideratin, and the court was concerned with the interests of the mother and the … Continue reading In Re O (A Minor) (Contact: Imposition of Conditions): CA 17 Mar 1995
Waite LJ: ‘It is now well settled that the implacable hostility of a mother towards access or contact is a factor which is capable, according to the circumstances of each particular case, of supplying a cogent reason for departing from the general pronciple that a child should grow up in the knowledge of both his … Continue reading In Re D (a Minor) (Contact: Mother’s Hostility): CA 1993
(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
The mother JJ’s first baby had died after physical abuse inflicted either by her or the father. In care proceedings for a later child, the judge concluded ‘T-L’s injuries could have been inflicted by either, or both, of them. Singling out a likely perpetrator does not help this couple because it must be debatable as … Continue reading In re J (Children): CA 3 Apr 2012
The parties had lived together as a married couple. They had had a child together by artificial insemination. It was then revealed that Mr J was a woman. The parties split up, and Mr J applied for an order for contact with the child. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The HFEA Act required that to … Continue reading J v C and E (a Child) (Void Marriage: Status of Children): CA 15 May 2006
Judges: Munby LJ, Langstaff J Citations: [2011] EWHC 2673 (Admin), [2012] 1 FCR 206, [2012] Fam Law 280, [2012] PTSR 546 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 Citing: Cited – M, Regina (on the Application of) v Gateshead Council CA 14-Mar-2006 The applicant had left care, but still received assistance. She was arrested and the … Continue reading VC and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v Newcastle City Council: Admn 24 Oct 2011
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 appellant female prisoner asserted that the much smaller number of probation and bail hostels provided for women prisoners when released on licence was discriminatory in leaving greater numbers of women far removed from their families. Held: A declaration was granted: ‘The provision of Approved Premises in England and Wales by the Secretary of State … Continue reading Coll, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 24 May 2017
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
The court considered an application for a residence order as between same sex parents where the child was born after artificial insemination. Judges: Thorpe, Tuckey, Arden LJJ Citations: [2005] EWCA Civ 462, [2005] 2 FLR 957, [2006] 1 FCR 436 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 4 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 24 July … Continue reading Re G (Children): CA 6 Apr 2005
The court considered the benefits to a child of continuing parental contact while the child remained in care. Simon Brown LJ said: ‘I recognise of course that the threshold criteria for a care order under section 31 of the 1989 Act require the court to be satisfied that a child is suffering or is likely … Continue reading In re E (A Minor) (Care Order: Contract): CA 1994
The mother appealed against a refusal of an order allowing her to remove her son to live with her in Northern Ireland. Held: Thorpe LJ said that the relief appropriately to be sought by the objecting parent is a prohibited steps order. Judges: Thorpe, Lloyd, Toulson LJJ Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 1055, [2008] Fam Law … Continue reading In re B (A Child) (Prohibited Steps Order): CA 24 Jul 2007
A residential assessment order had been made under the 1989 Act in care proceedings. When the centre recommended a second extension of the assessment, the council refused, saying that the true purpose was not the assessment of the child but the treatment of the mother. Held: The appeal succeeded: ‘the main purpose of the proposed … Continue reading Kent County Council v G and others: HL 24 Nov 2005
Application for leave to appeal – adjourned for two man court. Judges: Wilson LJ Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 65 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 09 July 2022; Ref: scu.248393
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
A lesbian couple had split up and disputed the care of the children. An order had been made but then, in breach of that order, one removed the children overnight to Cornwall. An argument was made that the court had failed to give proper weight to the considerations from the 1989 Act and had ignored … Continue reading CG v CW and Another (Children): CA 6 Apr 2006
Citations: [2005] EWCA Civ 155 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 29 June 2022; Ref: scu.222937
A contact order had been properly granted with an order freeing the child for adoption. Butler-Sloss LJ: ‘The effect of an order freeing a child for adoption is to extinguish parental responsibility of those previously endowed with it and thus to bring to an end the relationship between the child and his natural family (see … Continue reading In Re A (A Minor) (Adoption: Contact Order): CA 24 Jun 1993
Justices cannot make a three month secure accommodation order after an earlier one month interim order. The total order must not exceed three months. Citations: Times 24-May-1994, Ind Summary 20-Jun-1994 Statutes: Children Act 1989 25 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children, Magistrates Updated: 19 May 2022; Ref: scu.78797
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
A court has the power under the Act to impose a condition on a residence order to prevent a proposed move within the UK. Such an order would be exceptional. In the absence of such a condition, there was nothing to require a parent with residence wanting to move to Northern Ireland, first to seek … Continue reading In re H (Children: Residence order: Relocation): CA 30 Jul 2001
The court had made a contact order and a penal notice attached under section 34, and the local authority had been found to have breached it. They now appealed against a finding that they were in contempt of court. Held: An order extended under section 34 was capable of being enforced by a finding of … Continue reading In re B (Minors) (Contact order: Enforcement): CA 27 Feb 2009
The mother appealed against a prohibited steps order preventing her taking the child of the family with her on her relocation to Northern Ireland. Held: The making of an order either as a prohibited steps order or as a condition of a residence order, which placed restrictions on the right of the child’s primary carer … Continue reading In re B (A child) (Relocation): CA 24 Jul 2007
Balcombe LJ said: ‘But before concluding this judgment, I would like to make three general points. The first is that judges should be very reluctant to allow the implacable hostility of one parent (usually the parent who has a residence order in his or her favour) to deter them from making a contact order where … Continue reading In re J (a Minor) (Contact): CA 1994
The court upheld the decision of the Common Sergeant, sitting at the Central Criminal Court, that screens should be erected to enable children who had been treated indecently to give evidence screened from the defendant. The judge was required to see that: ‘the system operates fairly; fairly not only to the defendant, but also to … Continue reading Regina v X, Y and Z; Regina v DJX, SCY and GCZ: CACD 1989
Citations: [1989] 2 All ER 782, [1989] 3 WLR 240, [1990] Fam 26 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See also – Re C (Wardship: Medical Treatment) (No 2) CA 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; … Continue reading In re C (A Minor) (Wardship: Medical Treatment): CA 1989
Child staying at home not accommodated; appropriate Local Authority chosen by normal rules. Citations: Times 24-Jan-1997 Statutes: Children Act 1989 23 Children Updated: 08 April 2022; Ref: scu.81795
Claim for judicial review concerning the decision of a local authority that a child was not a ‘child in need’ for the purposes of section 17 of the Children Act 1989, and the consequential refusal to provide the child and her parents with accommodation. Judges: Jeremy Baker J Citations: [2018] WLR(D) 55, [2018] EWHC 61 … Continue reading Stewart, Regina (on The Application of) v Birmingham City Council: Admn 24 Jan 2018
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
Application was made by the claimant for orders discharging an order made in 1991 to protect the identity of children and social workers embroiled in allegations of satanic sex abuse. The defendant opposed disclosure of the names of two social workers. Held: The names of the social workers had been withheld originally to protect the … Continue reading British Broadcasting Company v Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council and X and Y: FD 24 Nov 2005
[2015] EWFC B149 Bailii Children Act 1989 20 Children Updated: 04 January 2022; Ref: scu.552434
Application by the Local Authority for the making of a Care Order pursuant to s.31(1) Children Act 1989 in respect of ‘C’, Rawkins HHJ [2014] EWFC B159 Bailii Children Act 1989 31(1) England and Wales Children Updated: 24 December 2021; Ref: scu.540381
Application by the father for permission to appeal as to whether care orders in respect of the children should be discharged with the result the children could return to live with their father; whether the section 34(4) order should be discharged so that the children could have direct contact with their father; and thirdly, whether … Continue reading Re C (Children Appeal): FC 30 May 2014
‘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
A young mother is generally to be allowed continuing contact with her child pending a decision where there is a dispute on the child’s care. Independent 24-Feb-1993 Children Act 1989 England and Wales Children Updated: 21 December 2021; Ref: scu.85793
‘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 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 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
The baby boy suffered life threatening conditions. Doctors at the hospital sought directions to allow the withdrawal of life support. His parents wanted him to be given the chance of experimental treatment in the US. In April a declaration had been made allowing the withdrawal of life support. The parents appeals had been rejected by … Continue reading Re Gard (A Child): FD 24 Jul 2017
Single Sex Schooling failed to prepare for life The Chief Inspector appealed from a decision that it was discriminatory under the 2010 Act to educate girls and boys in the same school but under a system providing effective complete separation of the sexes. Held: The action was discriminatory. However, the scheme operated against individuals, both … Continue reading Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills v The Interim Executive Board of Al-Hijrah School: CA 13 Oct 2017
When a court considered which of two parents might be responsible for a non-accidental injury to their child, what the court cannot do is decide that one parent is the perpetrator but that the other parent cannot be excluded as the perpetrator. Counsel had not brought to the attention of the court when applying for … Continue reading ZM v JM; Re M (children) (fact-finding hearing: burden of proof); In re M (a Child) (Non-accidental injury: Burden of proof): CA 19 Nov 2008
An undisclosed principal will not be permitted to claim to be party to a contract if this is contrary to the terms of the contract itself. Thus the provision in the standard form B contract of the London Metal Exchange ‘this contract is made between ourselves and yourselves as principals, we alone being liable to … Continue reading JH Rayner (Mincing Lane) Ltd v Department of Trade and Industry: HL 1989
The appellant owned farmland tenanted by a limited partnership. One partner gave notice and the remaining partners indicated a claim for a new tenancy. He was prevented from recovering possession by section 72 of the 2003 Act. Though his claim had . .
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 6-1; Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award; Costs and expenses award – domestic proceedings; Costs and expenses . .
Where a patient lacks capacity, there is the power to provide him with whatever treatment or care is necessary in his own best interests. Medical treatment can be undertaken in an emergency even if, through a lack of capacity, no consent had been . .
References: [2014] EWFC B133 Links: Bailii Coram: HHJ Lynn Roberts Statutes: Children Act 1989 Last Update: 24-Apr-16 Ref: 537721
References: [2015] EWFC B149 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 20 Last Update: 05-Oct-15 Ref: 552434
References: [2014] EWFC B159 Links: Bailii Coram: Rawkins HHJ Application by the Local Authority for the making of a Care Order pursuant to s.31(1) Children Act 1989 in respect of ‘C’, Statutes: Children Act 1989 31(1)
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
Continuing duties of local authrity to children who have been in care on attaining majority. Citations: (1999) 3 CCLR 38, [1999] EWHC Admin 464 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 24 Cited by: Cited – Regina (Stewart) v Wandsworth London Borough Council and Others QBD 17-Sep-2001 The words ‘within their area’ in the section had … Continue reading Regina v Kent County Council, Ex parte Salisbury and Pierre: Admn 19 May 1999
When a child in care attains the age of eighteen, the local authority in whose care the child was before attaining that age, is the one who must provide continuing advice and support. Citations: Times 30-Jun-1997, [1997] EWHC Admin 535, [1998] 1 FLR 253, [1998] Fam Law 20, [1998] 2 FCR 6 Links: Bailii Statutes: … Continue reading Regina v London Borough of Lambeth ex parte Caddell: Admn 9 Jun 1997
Prosecution to protect defendant not available The claimants faced extradition to the US. They said that the respondent had infringed their human rights by deciding not to prosecute them in the UK. There was no mutuality in the Act under which they were to be extradited. Held: The Director had a discretion as to whether … Continue reading Bermingham and others v The Director of the Serious Fraud Office: QBD 21 Feb 2006
The parents were dependent on drugs. The guardian ad litem proposed that the authority should fund treatment of the parents and child in a residential unit with assessment. The authority proposed a detoxification programme. The authority appealed an order following the guardian’s recommendation. Held: The order was for treatment not assessment and therefore outside the … Continue reading Re D (Jurisdiction: Programme of Assessment or Therapy): CA 12 May 1999
Ten children were taken into care amid allegations of ritual satanic sex abuse. Held: the allegations were not proved. All but four of the children were returned home. Injunctions were granted to protect the identify of the children and of the social workers involved. As to the actions of the social workers: ‘the local authority … Continue reading Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council v A: 1991
The father appealed an order refusing direct contact, and that no further application should be made for five years. Citations: [2006] EWCA Civ 348 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 91(14) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 05 December 2022; Ref: scu.240089
Mr Leander had been refused employment at a museum located on a naval base, having been assessed as a security risk on the basis of information stored on a register maintained by State security services that had not been disclosed him. Mr Leander complained that he should have been provided with the information in question, … Continue reading Leander v Sweden: ECHR 26 Mar 1987
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
The OFT had considered whether it was necessary to refer a merger between two companies to the Competition Commission, and decided against. The Competition Appeal Tribunal held that the proposed merger should have been referred. The OFT and parties appealed. Held: The Tribunal had misdirected itself as to one test. The statutory test required the … Continue reading Office of Fair Trading and others v IBA Health Limited: CA 19 Feb 2004
Reasons for refusal of appeal in care proceedings Judges: Lord Justice Thorpe and Lord Justice Wall Citations: [2008] EWCA Civ 3 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 31 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children, Local Government Updated: 24 November 2022; Ref: scu.263768
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 8; Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award; Costs and expenses partial awardThe mutual enjoyment by parent and child of each other’s company constitutes a fundamental element of family life, and the placement of children in foster homes or other accommodation which they … Continue reading Kutzner v Germany: ECHR 26 Feb 2002
Claim for judicial review concerns the extent of the Defendant local authority’s duties under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 Citations: [2020] EWHC 1107 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Immigration, Children, Housing Updated: 24 November 2022; Ref: scu.650739
The court had directed that the parents of the child be offered therapeutic treatment which, it was hoped, would enable their child to be entrusted to their care. The local authority appealed. Held: The appeal succeeded. Thorpe LJ said that counsel was correct to characterise the proposal ‘as essentially a programme of therapy for the … Continue reading In the Matter of B (Minors): CA 22 Jul 1998
The father sought to appeal an order restraining him from further appeals in respect of his children. Citations: [2006] EWCA Civ 1617, [2007] 1 FLR 1532 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 91(14) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 22 November 2022; Ref: scu.246716
The defendant had appealed his conviction for murder to the Court of Appeal. The 1968 Act required the court to consider whether the conviction was unsafe. New evidence was before the Court of Appeal, but they had rejected the appeal. Held: The Court of Appeal should reach its own view based on the unadorned words … Continue reading Regina v Pendleton: HL 13 Dec 2001
The claimants sought damages from the defendant local authority after their identities had been wrongfully revealed to the natural parents of the adoptees leading to a claimed campaign of harassment. The adopters has specifically requested that their names and address be not revealed, but they details were let slip in a case conference. Both parties … Continue reading B and B v A County Council: CA 21 Nov 2006
Citations: [2006] EWHC 1912 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: National Assistance Act 1948 21, National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing, Benefits, Children, Local Government Updated: 14 November 2022; Ref: scu.244123
An application for leave to apply under the Act by a person subject to an order under section 91 should be made inter partes. Judges: Thorpe LJ Citations: [1998] 1 FLR 1 Statutes: Children Act 1989 91(14) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – In re S (Permission to seek relief); In re E … Continue reading In re A (Application for leave): CA 1998
The applicant and her husband had adopted a son. After problems he was taken into care and fostered. The council sought a contribution to the cost of care. The parent requested details as to the circumstances behind the application, and had relayed to them allegations against them. The allegations were withdrawn, and apologised for, but … Continue reading Waple v Surrey County Council: CA 17 Dec 1997
A residence order can not be accompanied by an order as to where a parent with care must live in the UK or with whom. An appeal may well arise in which a disappointed applicant will contend that section 13(1)(b) of the Children Act 1989 imposes a disproportionate restriction on a parent’s right to determine … Continue reading In re E (Minors) (Residence Orders: Imposition of Conditions): CA 30 Apr 1997
The social worker arranged for D, unable to live with her father because he was violent towards her, to live with his fomer partner. The court was asked whether the local authority had simply facilitated a private fostering arrangement, in which case they had no duty to maintain the child, or whether they had accommodated … Continue reading Southwark, London Borough of v D: CA 7 Mar 2007
The court considered the special guardianship provisions as inserted into the 1989 Act. Held: An individual who needed leave from the court before applying for a special guardianship order had to do so before giving notice to the local authority of his intention to apply for a special guardianship order. Judges: Lord Justice Thorpe, Lord … Continue reading R (a Child), Birmingham City Council v LR (MRR’s Mother) and others: CA 20 Dec 2006
The plaintiff had a lump on her breast. The surgeon, without first subjecting the lump to a microscopic examination in order to determine whether it was cancerous or benign, removed the breast. This was in 1973. The lump was subsequently found to be benign. The patient knew very soon after the operation that the lump … Continue reading Dobbie v Medway Health Authority: CA 11 May 1994
Judges: Mr Justice Johnson Citations: [2003] 2011 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 24 October 2022; Ref: scu.235740
The deceased had begun an action on becoming ill after exposure to asbestos by the defendant. He withdrew his action after receiving expert evidence that his illness was unrelated. A post-mortem examination showed this evidence to be mistaken. His widow sought to pursue an action, but it was claimed that this was out of time. … Continue reading Barry Young (Deceased) v Western Power Distribution (South West) Plc: CA 18 Jul 2003
‘This case raises important questions about the extent to which the public should be able to read and see what disgruntled parents say when they speak out about what they see as deficiencies in the family justice system, particularly when, as here, their complaints are about the care system. The case also raises important questions … Continue reading Re J (A Child) (Reporting Restriction: Internet: Video): FD 5 Sep 2013
The father sought a specific issue order for the immunisation of his child in particular with the MMR vaccine. The mother opposed all immunisation. Held: Whether a child was to be refused immunisation was an issue on which both parents should be involved. ‘the present case is seen not as some significant novelty requiring guidance … Continue reading B (A Child); Re C (Welfare of Child: Immunisation): CA 30 Jul 2003
The court had decided that the care plan proposed for the children should be accepted. This was for a long term placement with foster parents, and in due course, no doubt would lead to adoption. Both parents had suffered psychiatric problems. The mother sought continued contact with the children, with a view to a long … Continue reading G (Minors): CA 15 Jul 1997
The claimant was disabled, and sought sterilisation because she feared the additional difficulties she would face as a mother. The sterilisation failed. She sought damages. Held: The House having considered the issue in MacFarlane only recently it was inappropriate to change the rules set down in that case. Nothing had been put forward to argue … Continue reading Rees v Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust: HL 16 Oct 2003
Miss Singh challenged her school’s policy which operated to prevent her wearing while at school a steel bangle, a Kara. She said this was part of her religion as a Sikh. Held: Earlier comparable applications had been made under human rights law, but this was under the 1976 Act. The evidence established that the Sikh … Continue reading Watkins-Singh, Regina (on the Application of) v The Governing Body of Aberdare Girls’ High School and Another: Admn 29 Jul 2008
A contract of guarantee was made, but based upon a term of fundamental importance which was mistaken as to the existence of certain machines. Held: The court must first look to the nature of the purported agreement. Steyn J said: ‘Logically, before one can turn to the rules as to mistake, whether at common law … Continue reading Associated Japanese Bank (International) Ltd v Credit du Nord SA: 1988
Application by the father of four children, aged between 7 and 15, for permission to appeal against the decision of a circuit judge who refused to permit him to make an application for the implementation of an order for indirect contact with the children during the currency of an order made by a different judge … Continue reading LTF v LMF: CA 17 Aug 2006
The court examined ‘a short but important point on the inter-relationship between the provisions of Part III of the Children Act 1989, headed ‘Local Authority Support for Children and Families’, and the homelessness provisions of Part VII of the Housing Act 1996, in particular sections 188 and 189, headed ‘Interim duty to accommodate”. Judges: Walll … Continue reading M, Regina (on the Application of) v Hammersmith and Fulham: CA 5 Jul 2006
There had been care proceedings as to C. The mother was treated by a psychiatrist, X, and an associate Y. They also prepared expert reports. M formally complained about X, and the charges having been dismissed, the doctors now sought disclosure of further medical recods from the care proceedings. His medical reputation had been severely … Continue reading Re C (A Child): FC 29 Sep 2015
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
The court was asked: ‘Was it unlawful for the Secretary of State for Health, the respondent, who had power to make provisions for the functioning of the National Health Service in England, to have failed to make a provision which would have enabled women who were citizens of the UK, but who were usually resident … Continue reading A and B, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Health: SC 14 Jun 2017
The Commission considered the admissibility of a complaint that the United Kingdom would violate articles 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 if it extradited him to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Held: The application was manifestly ill-founded: ‘The Commission considers that it is only in exceptional circumstances that the extradition of a person to … Continue reading Launder v The United Kingdom: ECHR 8 Dec 1997
The newspaper applied for leave to access documents referred to but not released during the course of extradition proceedings in open court. Held: The application was to be allowed. Though extradition proceedings were not governed by the Civil Procedure Rules, wider principles still applied. The open justice principle is a constitutional principle to be found … Continue reading Guardian News and Media Ltd, Regina (on The Application of) v City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court: CA 3 Apr 2012
Three applicants had lied on entry to secure admission, stayed for a considerable time, and had been treated as illegal immigrants under section 33(1). The fourth’s claim that upon being returned he would been killed, had been rejected without investigation. Held: A claim to refugee status was not an exception to the ban on appeals … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Bugdaycay: HL 19 Feb 1986
The House considered the liability of main contractors on a construction site for the negligence of it sub-contractors.Lord Bridge said: ‘It is trite law that the employer of an independent contractor is, in general, not liable for the negligence or other torts committed by the contractor in the course of the execution of the work. … Continue reading D and F Estates v Church Commissioners for England: HL 14 Jul 1988
