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
Review of authority to terminate contact after change and some re-investigation. Citations: Times 01-Jan-1997 Statutes: Children Act 1989 34(4) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 04 November 2022; Ref: scu.82228
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
Care proceedings Judges: Floyd, King , Moylan LJJ Citations: [2019] EWCA Civ 1714, [2019] WLR(D) 566 Links: Bailii, WLRD Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 31 August 2022; Ref: scu.642662
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
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 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
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
Ewbank J considered the case of a ward of court, aged 17.5 years who had been arrested by the police on suspicion of burglary and said: ‘After he was arrested he was interviewed by the police who did not know that he was a ward of court. They became aware that he was a ward … Continue reading Re B (A Minor): FD 15 Dec 1989
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
The defendant said that he had driven recklessly because he was in fear for his life and that of his passenger. Held: The court was bound by Willer to rule that a defence of duress was available. It was convenient to refer to this type of duress as ‘duress of circumstances’. Judges: Woolf LJ Citations: … Continue reading Regina v Conway: 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 Judge had a discretion to look again at the natural mother’s case before making an adoption order. In order to minimise delay in any case, and to facilitate efficient decision-making, the court could, exercising its wide judicial discretion, consider the application for leave to apply for an order revoking the placement order on a … Continue reading In Re B (Minors) (Contact): CA 3 Feb 1993
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
New procedure for production of time estimates in cases re children. Citations: Times 08-Dec-1993 Statutes: Children Act 1989 Children Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.84848
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
Abuse of Process and Re-litigation 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 this question I believe I state the rule of the Court correctly when I … Continue reading Henderson v Henderson: 20 Jul 1843
Originating summons in the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court asking for an order granting permission to interview two young girls, represented by CAFCASS Legal. The third defendant is the children’s mother, NP. The local authority in which the children and their mother reside, Manchester City Council, has also been represented as an interested party. … Continue reading Greater Manchester Chief Constable v KI and Another (Children) and others: FD 26 Jul 2007
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
A child was found to have bruising consistent with physical abuse. Either or both parents might have caused it, but the judge felt it likely that only one had, that he was unable to decide which, and that they were not so serious that he had to say that the other must have known. Held: … Continue reading In re S-B (Children) (Care proceedings: Standard of proof): SC 14 Dec 2009
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
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The mother sought an order terminating the father’s parental responsibility. The father sought a specific issues order as to the provision of annual reports. Judges: Baker J Citations: [2013] EWHC 854 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 84 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 17 November 2022; Ref: scu.472580
A court can order mother to send photographs and reports to father to maintain contact. Citations: Ind Summary 26-Jun-1995 Statutes: Children Act 1989 8 11(7) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 21 January 2023; Ref: scu.85843
Judges: Pill, Hooper, Munby LJJ Citations: [2011] EWCA Civ 521, [2011] 3 FCR 208, [2011] Fam Law 791, [2011] 2 FLR 912 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 20 December 2022; Ref: scu.434846
Application for permission to appeal and for permission to amend his grounds of appeal in relation to a discretionary decision acceding to an application for a common-law stay on the grounds of forum non conveniens. Citations: [2008] EWCA Civ 484 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 Sch 1 14 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Child Support, … Continue reading Cook v Plummer: CA 9 Apr 2008
Application for assistance in providing accomodation to allow early release from prison. Citations: [2007] EWHC 1196 (Admin), [2007] 2 FLR 849 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – G, Regina (on the Application of) v London Borough Of Southwark HL 20-May-2009 The House was asked whether when a child of 16 or … Continue reading S, Regina (on the Application of) v London Borough of Sutton: Admn 18 May 2007
PC (Anguilla) A first non-religious radio station had been formed, but came to include much criticism of the government. One programme was suspended by the government. The programme makers complained that this interfered with their constitutioinal and human rights to freedom of thought, freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination. Held: The motive in closing … Continue reading Benjamin, Vanderpool and Gumbs v The Minister of Information and Broadcasting and The Attorney General for Anguilla: PC 14 Feb 2001
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
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
The parties sought guidance from the court on the circumstances which arose in ancillary relief proceedings where a legal representative came to believe that one party might be holding the proceeds of crime. In the course of ancillary relief proceedings, the parties legal representatives concluded that some part of the matrimonial assets might represent the … Continue reading P v P (Ancillary Relief: Proceeds of Crime): FD 8 Oct 2003
Citations: [1986] 2 FLR 429 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Re H (A Minor) (Shared Residence) CA 1-Dec-1992 The court considered the possibility of making a joint residence order. Purchas LJ said: ‘That such an order is open to the court, as has been said in the judgment of Cazalet J, is … Continue reading Riley v Riley: 1986
Renewed application for permission to appeal after refusal of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal’s decision on a reconsideration of the respondent’s decision to deport him following his conviction and sentence to three and a half years in prison for theft, handling stolen goods and obtaining property by deception. He came to this country in 1989, … Continue reading GO (Nigeria) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 16 May 2007
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 challenge the policy that a 17 year old under arrest was to be treated as an adult for interview purposes, even though at every other stage of a criminal investigation and prosecution, he would be treated as a child. He had been arrested, but, under the applicable Code of Practice had … Continue reading HC (A Child), Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department and Another: Admn 25 Apr 2013
The claimant had produced the Star War films which made use of props, in particular a ‘Stormtrooper’ helmet designed by the defendant. The defendant had then himself distributed models of the designs he had created. The appellant obtained judgment against the respondent in the US for punitive damages, but these had not been collected, and … Continue reading Lucasfilm Ltd and Others v Ainsworth and Another: SC 27 Jul 2011
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
Court has no power to order Local Authority to provide residential assessment of family of child. Citations: Gazette 23-Oct-1996 Statutes: Children Act 1989 38(6) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 01 November 2022; Ref: scu.81784
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
Joint residence order can be appropriate where residence to be shared. Citations: Ind Summary 14-Feb-1994 Statutes: Children Act 1989 8(1) 11(4) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.85684
The legal professional privilege for medical reports obtained privately, must yield in child cases, and the report was discoverable. Citations: Ind Summary 15-Nov-1993, Times 02-Nov-1993 Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Legal Professions, Children Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.84509
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
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
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
Application for judicial review of a purported decision by X Council to continue to detain FD, a girl who is 14 years and 5 months, in secure accommodation. Judges: Mrs Justice Lieven DBE Citations: [2019] EWHC 3481 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 25 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children, Local Government Updated: 19 September … Continue reading FD, Regina (on The Application of) v X Metropolitan Borough Council: Admn 16 Dec 2019
The child was taken to hospital with injuries which the doctors concluded were non-accidental. The identity of the abuser was in doubt. Held: The court set out to identify the procedures in cases involving suspected non-accidental injuries where there was insufficient identification of the abuser. There are two parts to the threshold test, the harm … Continue reading North Yorkshire County Council v SA and others: CA 1 Jul 2003
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
Where a child had returned to a district, and both parents and foster parents had also left the area, it was unrealistic to lay responsibility for the child’s care at the former authority, and the proper responsible authority was that within which the child now resided. Citations: Times 01-Jun-1999, Gazette 27-Jun-1999 Statutes: Children Act 1989 … Continue reading North Yorkshire County Council v Wiltshire County Council: FD 1 Jun 1999
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
Criminality of Assisting Suicide not Infringing The court was asked: ‘whether the present state of the law of England and Wales relating to assisting suicide infringes the European Convention on Human Rights, and whether the code published by the Director of Public Prosecutions relating to prosecutions of those who are alleged to have assisted a … Continue reading Nicklinson and Another, Regina (on The Application of): SC 25 Jun 2014
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
Mrs. Nessa arrived at Heathrow aged 55 having lived all her life in Bangladesh. Her husband, Mr. Mobarak Ali, had lived in the United Kingdom from 1962 until he died in 1975 and when she arrived here, Mrs. Nessa had a right of abode. She hoped to live with her husband’s brother. Her three children, … Continue reading Nessa v Chief Adjudication Officer: HL 3 Nov 1999
The claimant challenged refusal by the defendant to provide financial support for his studies. Judges: Laws, McCombe LJJ, Sir Stanley Burnton Citations: [2013] EWCA Civ 960, [2013] WLR(D) 322 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Children Act 1989 23C(4) 24B(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – Kebede and Another v Secretary of State for Business … Continue reading Kebede and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Newcastle City Council: CA 31 Jul 2013
The mother appealed against a residence order granting the father equal time with the child, saying that she wished to move away. Held: Wall LJ examined the authorities.Wall LJ P said: ‘In twenty years time it will not matter a row of beans whether or not L spent x or y hours more with one … Continue reading ETS v BT; in re T (A child); In Re L (a child) (internal relocation: shared residence order: CA 28 Jan 2009
Proposed changes to the Legal Aid regulations were challenged as being invalid, for being discriminatory. If regulations are not authorised under statute, they will be invalid, even if they have been approved by resolutions of both Houses under the provisions of the relevant enabling Act. Held: The appeal succeeded as to the ultra vires issue.Lord … Continue reading The Public Law Project, Regina (on The Application of) v Lord Chancellor: SC 13 Jul 2016
M, a girl aged 16 had become estranged from her mother, and sought housing assistance. She was not referred to the authority’s children’s services, and was not housed. The House examined the duties of local authorities under the section towards children aged 16 and 17 without support from their families. The 1989 Act referred to … Continue reading M, Regina (on the Application of) v London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham: HL 27 Feb 2008
The local authority owed the section 20(1) duty towards a 17 year old girl who was about to be released from a Secure Training Centre. It argued however that the duty no longer applied because she had agreed to go to a hostel for homeless women under the homelessness legislation, though also conceding that she … Continue reading S, Regina (on the Application of) v London Borough of Sutton: CA 26 Jul 2007
The applicant had left care, but still received assistance. She was arrested and the police asked the attending social worker to arrange secure accommodation overnight. The respondent refused. The court was asked what duty (if any) is owed by local authorities to provide ‘secure accommodation’ for arrested juveniles whom they are requested to receive under … Continue reading M, Regina (on the Application of) v Gateshead Council: CA 14 Mar 2006
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
In each case fathers not married to the mother of the child, but with parental responsibility sought to have the child immunised. The mothers opposed the treatment saying they believed it unsafe. Held: The children should be immunised. Article 8.2 permitted interference with family life for health reasons. Mothers and fathers had equal rights before … Continue reading In re C (a Child) (Immunisation: Parental Rights); In re F (a Child) (Immunisation: Parental rights): FD 13 Jun 2003
Each defendant appealed against convictions associated variously with the cultivation or possession of cannabis resin. They sought to plead medical necessity. There had been medical recommendations to move cannabis to the list of drugs which might be prescribed by a doctor, but this had been rejected. Held: The appeals failed. There was no over-arching principle … Continue reading Quayle and others v Regina, Attorney General’s Reference (No. 2 of 2004): CACD 27 May 2005
The applicants had two severely disabled children. They sought assistance from the local authority in carrying out the necessary adaptations to their home. The authority asked first as to their financial circumstances. They declined, saying that any such consideration was not relevant to the decision. Held: The statutes were unclear, but the result was that … Continue reading Regina ex parte Spink and Another v The London Borough of Wandsworth: CA 18 Mar 2005
The claimant had succeeded in her appeal against the cancellation of her registration as a child minder, and now sought damages for negligence in using unnecessarily the emergency procedure leading to damage to the claimant’s reputation and business. Judges: Peter Gibson LJ, May LJ Citations: [2002] EWCA Civ 569 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 … Continue reading Bowden and Another v Lancashire County Council: CA 16 Apr 2002
The applicant questioned the compatibility of s185 of the 1996 Act with Human Rights law. The family sought emergency housing. The child of the family, found to be in priority housing need, was subject also to immigration control. Though the matter had been settled the court was invited to pursue the decision. Held: The Act … Continue reading Morris, Regina (on the Application of) v Westminster City Council and Another: Admn 7 Oct 2004
(New Zealand) (Attorney General of New Zealand intervening) The defendant MP had made a statement in Parliament which attracted parliamentary privilege. In a subsequent newspaper interview, he said ‘he did not resile from his claim’. He defended the action for defamation claiming the privilege. Held: The original statement had privilege but the repetition outside parliament … Continue reading Jennings v Buchanan: PC 14 Jul 2004
The applicant sought an order that his application for a joint residence order should be held in public. Held: Though there was some attractiveness in the applicant’s arguments, the issue had been fully canvassed by the ECHR. The time had come for the court to consider in each case whether a proper balance of competing … Continue reading Pelling v Bruce-Williams, Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs intervening: CA 5 Jul 2004
A five week old baby had been brought into hospital with cranial pressure. At first signs of injury were not seen. It was concluded that the child may have been shaken, and the child protection procedures began. No criminal proceedings were to take place, and no interim care order had been necessary. The local authority … Continue reading A Local Authority v A and D: FD 5 Dec 2001
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 claimant was a mental patient under compulsory detention, and complained that he had been subjected to periods of seclusion. Held: The appeal succeeded. The hospital had failed to follow the appropriate Code of Practice. The Code was not obligatory, but following it would generally ensure that a patient’s rights were not infringed. It recognised … Continue reading Munjaz v Mersey Care National Health Service Trust And the Secretary of State for Health, the National Association for Mental Health (Mind) Respondent interested;: CA 16 Jul 2003
The parties to the marriage owned a property which they had extended. The relationship deteriorated, and the mother sought an order under the 1996 Act. The mother left the home, and the father cared for the children. He sought orders under the 1989 Act for the transfer of the property. Those proceedings were made subject … Continue reading White v White: CA 19 May 2003
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
A scheme had been introduced to arrange pre-entry clearance for visitors to the United Kingdom by posting of immigration officers in the Czech Republic. The claimants argued that the system was discriminatory, because Roma visitors were now subjected to a much more rigorous examination than others, and also that the arrangement put the respondent in … Continue reading European Roma Rights Centre and others v Immigration Officer at Prague Airport and Another: CA 20 May 2003
Land had been purchased compulsorily, but the respondent unlawfully returned to possession in 1966, and now claimed title by adverse possession. The Council executed a vesting deed poll in 1988. The Council asserted that he could not be in adverse possession of his own land. Held: ‘anyone who has possession of land can maintain an … Continue reading Rhondda Cynon Taff Borough Council v Watkins: CA 12 Feb 2003
The pupil had been excluded from school but then ordered to be re-instated. The teachers, through their union, refused to teach him claiming that he was disruptive. The claimant appealed a refusal of an injunction. The injunction had been refused on the basis that this was an employment dispute. The union had failed successfully to … Continue reading In re P (a minor by his mother and litigation friend); P v National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers: HL 27 Feb 2003
The League challenged the respondent’s statement in the Prisons’ Handbook that children held in young offender institutions were not subject to the protection of the 1989 Act. Held: Neither the Prison Act and Rules excluded the Prison authorities from the list of those required to co-operate with local authorities in the exercise of their duties … Continue reading Regina (Howard League for Penal Reform) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: QBD 29 Nov 2002
The claimants sought a declaration that part of the Regulations were invalid, and an infringement of their human rights. The Regulations sought to exempt church schools from an obligation not to discriminate against homosexual teachers. Held: The Regulation was within the scope of the Directive. Though a member state had some freedom in implementing a … Continue reading Regina (Amicus etc) v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry: Admn 26 Apr 2004
A confession to a guardian ad litem in care proceedings is confidential to those proceedings. Citations: Times 08-Feb-1995, Independent 03-Feb-1995 Statutes: Children Act 1989 98 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Legal Professions, Children Updated: 29 May 2022; Ref: scu.84512
The House considered the need when assessing community care provision to include considerations of the cost and resources for care. The case concerned a question about the relevance of cost and arose in the context of a duty to make certain arrangements where a local authority is satisfied this is ‘necessary’ in order to meet … Continue reading Regina v Gloucestershire County Council and Another, Ex Parte Barry: HL 21 Mar 1997
The local authority applied for a care order in respect of a young baby. The mother was only 15 and was a ‘child’ herself. Held: In an application under 34(4) the interests of the child who is the subject of the application are paramount, and precede those of the mother, even if she herself is … Continue reading Birmingham City Council v H (A Minor) and Others: HL 16 Dec 1993
K, aged 16, had left home to join what was said to be a religious sect. His whereabouts were unknown. He had been made a ward of court and the Official Solicitor was appointed to represent his interests. He had sent messages to say that he was well and did not wish to return. The … Continue reading Kelly (A Minor) v British Broadcasting Corporation: FD 25 Jul 2000
The court was asked whether the daughter of Cecil Parkinson and Sarah Keays should be permitted to take part in a television programme about the specialist help she was receiving for her special educational needs. Held: The court refused to vary an injunction against publication of any details with regard to a particular child. This … Continue reading In re Z (A Minor) (Identification: Restrictions on Publication): CA 31 Jul 1995
The Court should construe the Act with an open-mind with regard to Local Authority proceedings applying for leave to institute wardship proceedings. Citations: Times 07-Dec-1993, Ind Summary 20-Dec-1993 Statutes: Children Act 1989 100(4) Children Updated: 15 May 2022; Ref: scu.79948
The claimant sought an order for possession of land outside St Paul’s cathedral occupied by the protestor defendants, consisting of ‘a large number of tents, between 150 and 200 at the time of the hearing, many of them used by protestors, either regularly or from time to time, as overnight accommodation, and several larger tents … Continue reading City of London v Samede and Others: QBD 18 Jan 2012
Where a child coming into care had had connection with two local authorities beforehand, the primary statutory responsibility for care would be determined by assessing which was the authority with a connection to the child immediately before the period to be disregarded under the Act for any temporary placement. The court reaffirmed the simple test … Continue reading Plymouth City Council v C and Another: CA 21 Mar 2000
When two local authorities were competing not to be responsible for the costs of a child committed to care, and the child had proper connections with both areas, the issue was to be decided by asking first whether the child had in fact any ‘ordinary residence’ as such, which would settle the issue in almost … Continue reading Northamptonshire County Council v Islington London Borough Council: CA 21 Jul 1999
The applicant had sought a student loan to support his studies as a mature student. It was refused because he would be over 55 at the date of the commencement of the course. He claimed this was discriminatory. Held: The Convention required the state not to prevent access to education, not a duty to subsidise … Continue reading Douglas v North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council: CA 19 Dec 2003
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
The council brought care proceedings. A residential assessment was to be ordered. The Council sought an order for the respondent mother who was legally aided to bear a portion of the cost of the assessment. The Legal Services Commission intervened to object to any order to pay any contribution to the costs. Held: An assessment … Continue reading Lambeth London Borough Council v S and C and V and J and Legal Services Commission: FD 3 May 2005
The court considered the possibility of making a joint residence order. Purchas LJ said: ‘That such an order is open to the court, as has been said in the judgment of Cazalet J, is clear from the provisions of section 11(4) of the Children Act 1989, as was indicated during the debate on the Bill … Continue reading Re H (A Minor) (Shared Residence): CA 1 Dec 1992
The mother and father of the child were not married, but had consented to the terms of their infertility treatment. The father donated his sperm, but the mother was only inseminated after they had separated. The mother appealed a declaration of paternity. Held: The Act clearly provided that the embryo was created at the time … Continue reading In re R (Parental responsibility: IVF baby): CA 19 Feb 2003
The judge need not decide on the outcome of a residence order application before going on to consider a care order. There was no necessary order of consideration. A care order should not normally be made to Local Authority if a capable family member will take child. Citations: Independent 13-Apr-1994, Times 16-Mar-1994, [1994] 1 FLR … Continue reading Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council v E and Others: CA 16 Mar 1994
The mother fled Pakistan and secured asylum here, proving a well founded fear of persecution if she returned. She had brought her son. The father applied for the child to be returned for the courts there to decide his future, saying he had been abducted. Held: To order the return of the child anticipating the … Continue reading In re H (a Minor) (Child abduction: Mother’s Asylum): FD 25 Jul 2003
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
A local authority should seek to protect children by part IV applications and not under Part II. There is a lacuna in the Act. It was not to use the private law provisions of Part II of the Act to pursue public law objectives. Citations: Independent 09-Apr-1993, Independent 07-Apr-1993 Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England … Continue reading Re P (Minors): CA 7 Apr 1993
A report obtained for Children Act proceedings has no privilege against use in evidence. Such proceedings are in the nature of inquisitorial proceedings. Litigation privilege was not applicable in care proceedings and a report prepared may be given to the police. Litigation privilege is essentially a creature of adversarial proceedings and thus cannot exist in … Continue reading In Re L (A Minor) (Police Investigation: Privilege): HL 22 Mar 1996
Upon the allegedly negligent release of the claimant from mental health care, she had, while in the midst of a serious psychotic episode, derived from the schizophrenia, killed her mother and been convicted of manslaughter. She now sought damages in negligence. The defendant relied upon a defence of illegality. Held: All the heads of claim … Continue reading Henderson v Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust: CA 3 Aug 2018
The deceased was a prisoner known to be at risk of committing suicide. Whilst in police custody he hanged himself in his prison cell. The Commissioner accepted that he was in breach of his duty of care to the deceased, but not that that breach was caustive of the death by suicide. Held: Police and … Continue reading Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis v Reeves (Joint Administratix of The Estate of Martin Lynch, Deceased): HL 15 Jul 1999
