Appeal by the mother against orders made in private law proceedings in relation to her daughter, A, who is rising 7 years of age. Lady Justice King [2021] EWCA Civ 1749 Bailii England and Wales Children Updated: 17 December 2021; Ref: scu.670058
The defendant ship-owners contracted to lease the ship on charter to the plaintiffs. Before the term, the ship was requisitioned for the war effort. The plaintiffs did not exercise the contractual right given to them to cancel the charterparty. The charterparty embodied no specific date as the date for the initial delivery of the vessel; … Continue reading Bank Line Ltd v Arthur Capel and Co: HL 12 Dec 1918
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 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
Power to restrain applications for contact not to be used save for oppression. Citations: Gazette 15-Mar-1995 Statutes: Children Act 1989 91(14) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 27 October 2022; Ref: scu.85774
Power to restrain contact application appropriate only in extreme cases. Citations: Times 02-Feb-1994 Statutes: Children Act 1989 91(14) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.81881
(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
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
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 father sought to withdraw his application for contact, but the court took the opportunity to explain some points relating to contact disputes. Held: Such disputes engender very deep feelings. Courts must ensure contact with both parents save when absolutely necessary. Joint residence order should be more widespread, but they were not the default order. … Continue reading The Father v The Mother, O by Cafcass Legal; In re O (a Child) (Contact: Withdrawal of application): FD 12 Dec 2003
Lord Donaldson of Lymington MR said: ‘So it is not a case of parental right opposed to the interests of the child, with an assumption that parental right prevails unless there are strong reasons in terms of the interests of the child. It is the same test which is being applied, the welfare of the … Continue reading Re H (A Minor) (Custody: Interim Care and Control): CA 1991
The Home Secretary had issued directives to the BBC and IBA prohibiting the broadcasting of speech by representatives of proscribed terrorist organisations. The applicant journalists challenged the legality of the directives on the ground that they were incompatible with the ECHR, and also on the ground that they were disproportionate in going beyond the established … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Brind: HL 7 Feb 1991
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
The applicant sought a joint residence order, and for a declaration that the rules preventing such hearings being in public breached the requirement for a public hearing. Held: Both FPR 1991 rule 4.16(7) and section 97 are compatible with the fair trial provisions of Article 61) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human … Continue reading P v BW (Children Cases: Hearings in Public): FD 2003
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
Judges: King, Lindblom, Peter Jackson LJJ Citations: [2019] EWCA Civ 575, [2019] WLR(D) 208 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Children Act 1989 31(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 14 June 2022; Ref: scu.635638
The court considered an application for an order for parental rights under the 1967 Act. Held: Ward J said: ‘Can this (father) show that he is the father of the child, not in the biological sense but in the sense that he has established or is likely to establish such a real family tie with … Continue reading D v Hereford and Worcester County Council: FD 1991
Citations: [1999] 2 FLR 573 Statutes: Children Act 1989 91(14) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – A Father (Mr A) v A Mother (Mrs A); Their Two Children (B And C) FD 4-Feb-2004 After a divorce, the father sought a joint residence order for the two young children. The mother alleged sexually inappropriate … Continue reading Re P (Section 91(14) Guidelines): CA 1999
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
Application was made for judicial review of a decision of the magistrate in proceedings under the Children and Young Persons Act. The issue arose as to whether or not young children should be compelled to give evidence. Held: The decision of the magistrate not to compel the witness was not reviewable. Butler-Sloss LJ said that … Continue reading Regina v B County Council, ex parte P: CA 1991
Damages were awarded for a breach of statutory duty where the claimant had suffered loss or damage by reason of the breach. The publication at issue went beyond reporting and ‘it reached deeply into the substance of the matter which the court had closed its doors to consider’. A mental health review tribunal is a … Continue reading Pickering v Liverpool Daily Post and Echo Newspapers plc: HL 1991
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
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 court considered what would constitute a child being ‘settled’ under the 1985 Act: ‘I now turn to the last matter, which is art. 12, as to whether in these circumstances it has been demonstrated that Katharine in now settled in her new environment. Mr Karsten submitted that the President made no finding on this … Continue reading Re S (A Minor) (Abduction): CA 1991
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 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
Once a court has made an order granting care to the local authority, the court no longer has any jurisdiction to make an order to prohibit contact between the child and a parent. The regulations give explicit power to the authority to agree such an arrangement, and therefore any order would be unenforceable. Citations: Times … Continue reading In Re W (A Minor) (Parental Contact: Prohibition): CA 20 Jan 2000
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
The plaintiff firm of solicitors sought to recover money which had been stolen from them by a partner, and then gambled away with the defendant. He had purchased their gaming chips, and the plaintiff argued that these, being gambling debts, were worthless, and that therefore no consideration had been given. Held: The casino’s defence succeeded. … Continue reading Lipkin Gorman (a Firm) v Karpnale Ltd: HL 6 Jun 1991
[2015] EWCA Civ 719 Bailii England and Wales Children Updated: 02 January 2022; Ref: scu.550205
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
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 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 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
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
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
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
The court considered the extent of the House’s jurisdiction as an appellate court. Section 3 of the 1876 Act provided that an appeal should lie to the House of Lords from ‘any order or judgment of . . Her Majesty’s Court of Appeal in England’. The court of appeal had refused leave to appeal against … Continue reading Lane v Esdaile: HL 5 May 1891
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 . .
Appeal against an order made after an agreement within the family that the children should live with the paternal grandmother.
Orse In re W (Parental Agreement with Local Authority)
The mother had placed her three children with their . .
References: [2014] EWFC B163 Links: Bailii Coram: Eaglestone HHJ 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 … Continue reading Re C (Children Appeal); FC 30 May 2014
1267 – 1278 – 1285 – 1297 – 1361 – 1449 – 1491 – 1533 – 1677 – 1688 – 1689 – 1700 – 1706 – 1710 – 1730 – 1737 – 1738 – 1751 – 1774 – 1792 – 1793 – 1804 – 1814 – 1819 – 1824 – 1828 – 1831 – 1832 … Continue reading Acts
The court considered an appeal against an order under section 91 to restrict further applications without the court’s prior consent. Judges: Butler-Sloss, Ward, Tuckey LJJ Citations: [1999] EWCA Civ 1323, [1999] 2 FLR 573, [2000] Fam 15 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 91(14) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Doncaster Metropolitan Borough … Continue reading In re P (a Child) (Residence Order: A Child’s Welfare): CA 30 Apr 1999
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
The father sought leave to appeal an order refusing him access to his children, and order made under section 91 restricting further applications. The court welfare officer had been strongly against supervised contact because of the father’s inconsistent behaviour. The mother was utterly against and completely opposed to any form of direct contact. A psychiatrist … Continue reading T-T (Minors): CA 13 Nov 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
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 court’s power to restrict a party’s right to apply with regard to their children is to be used sparingly. Citations: Times 14-Oct-1996 Statutes: Children Act 1989 91(14) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 31 October 2022; Ref: scu.78046
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 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
Each father appealed orders under the section restricting conditionally their right to make applications under the Act without permission. Held: S91 orders must state their term, and the nature of the application to which it related, but must not then add conditions. Orders made without a limit of time should be the exception. The main … Continue reading In re S (Permission to seek relief); In re E (Permission to seek relief): CA 18 Aug 2006
In an application to vary a residence order to return a child to natural from foster parents, no preference was to be given to the natural parents. Their religious views were relevant but not paramount, and a child might be raised in a different religion. A s91 order can properly be made without limit of … Continue reading In Re P (Minor) (Residence Order: Child’s Welfare): CA 11 May 1999
Justices were wrong to add a restriction on the making of further applications without allowing the party so restricted to make representations on the point. Citations: Gazette 23-Sep-1992 Statutes: Children Act 1989 91(14) Children Updated: 08 April 2022; Ref: scu.80440
The Council sought to have certain aspects of a care application put into the public domain which would normally have remained private. Application was also made (by the father and the child) for an order restricting the right of the mother to make further applications for a period. Held: Contact had been offered to the … Continue reading Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council v Haigh: FD 22 Aug 2011
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
The mother sought to change the surname of the three children of the family from that of her divorced husband to that of the husband whom she had subsequently married. Her application for leave was refused by the circuit judge. She appealed. Held: The appeal failed. A change of children’s surname was refused despite clear … Continue reading In Re B (Minors) (Change of Surname): CA 1 Dec 1995
In three linked cases, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children had had assistance with housing from the local social services authorities. They claimed entitlement to support as former relevant children under section 20. The local authorities argued that they had provided accommodation under section 17 rather than section 20 of the 1989 Act. Held: Once the section 20 … Continue reading H and others v London Borough of Wandsworth and others: Admn 23 Apr 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 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 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 judicial review of the Defendant’s failure to assess her son’s needs for the purposes of providing accommodation and support under section 17 of the 1989 Act. While the case is specific to its particular facts, it raises the question of the extent to which the Defendant could rely upon the Secretary of … Continue reading ES, Regina (on The Application of) v London Borough of Barking and Dagenham: Admn 27 Mar 2013
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
The appellant sought leave to appeal an order regarding access to her children in care. A residential therapeutic assessment had been refused. She sought transfer of the case to the High Court. Held: The application must be refused. The judge considering the matter was experienced and had given it full consideration. The delay involved in … Continue reading Re: E (Minors): CA 19 Dec 1997
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
After a family break up there had been continued litigation, and a refusal to comply with court orders by the mother. Eventually, the contact between mother an children all but broke down. There were three children. As the two elder children in turn reached majority, they went back to live with their mother, but allegations … Continue reading Re A (a Minor): CA 31 Jul 1997
The parties had married, but the male partner was a transsexual, having been born female and having undergone treatment for Gender Identity Dysphoria. After IVF treatment, the couple had a child. As the marriage broke down the truth was revealed in court, but the plaintiff said that his wife had known the true position. He … Continue reading J v S T (Formerly J): CA 21 Nov 1996
A Judge may depart from the recommendations of the Court Welfare Officer without taking the Court Welfare Officer’s oral evidence. Citations: Times 21-Nov-1994 Statutes: Children Act 1989 1(1) 1(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 27 October 2022; Ref: scu.81791
No priority is to be given for one child as between children in family. When a court considered the interests in contact between two children or a child mother and her child, the court had to refuse to give either child priority, but instead must start from a position of equality, and find a successful … Continue reading In Re H (A Minor): CA 23 Feb 1993
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 Keith Citations: [2009] EWHC 915 (Admin), [2009] 2 FLR 974, [2009] Fam Law 580, [2010] 1 FCR 699 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 17(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.343058
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
Hudoc Violation of Art. 5-1; Violation of Art. 5-4; Just satisfaction reserved; Judgment (Just satisfaction) Struck out of the list (friendly settlement)A person detained as a juvenile in need of educational supervision should not be detained in a prison where no education is available. The applicant’s successive placements in a remand prison, by way of … Continue reading Bouamar v Belgium: ECHR 29 Feb 1988
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
Renewed application despite earlier order that no application should be made Citations: [2003] EWCA Civ 1827 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 81(14) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 16 September 2022; Ref: scu.191207
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
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 claimant had applied to the Child Support Agncy for maintenance. They failed utterly to obtain payment, and she complained now that she was denied the opportunity by the 1991 Act to take court proceedings herself. Held: The denial of access to the courts under section 8 did not engage her civil rights. The Act … Continue reading Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v Kehoe: CA 5 Mar 2004
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
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 claimants sought damages for psychiatric injury. They were police officers who had been subject to unsuccessful proceedings following a shooting of a member of the public by their force. Held: The claim failed: ‘these claimants have no real prospect of establishing that it was reasonably foreseeable that the corporate failings would cause them psychiatric … Continue reading French and others v Chief Constable of Sussex Police: CA 28 Mar 2006
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
Procedures on Withdrawal of Life Support Treatment The patient had been severely injured in the Hillsborough disaster, and had come to be in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). The doctors sought permission to withdraw medical treatment. The Official Solicitor appealed against an order of the Court of Appeal permitting the action. Held: The appeal failed. … Continue reading Airedale NHS Trust v Bland: HL 4 Feb 1993
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 court declined appeals against findings that local authorities through social workers could properly assess whether the claimants were under eighteen and entitled, though asylum seekers, to housing provision and support under the 1989 Act. Judges: Ward, maurice Kay LJJ, Sir John Chadwick Citations: [2008] EWCA Civ 1445, [2009] PTSR 1011, [2009] ACD 17, [2009] … Continue reading A, Regina (on the Application of) v London Borough of Croydon: CA 18 Dec 2008
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
Inherent High Court power may restrain Publicity The claimant child’s mother was to be tried for the murder of his brother by poisoning with salt. It was feared that the publicity which would normally attend a trial, would be damaging to S, and an application was made for reporting restrictions to be applied to avoid … Continue reading In re S (a Child) (Identification: Restrictions on Publication): HL 28 Oct 2004
The appellants were magazines and journalists who published, after committal proceedings, the name of a witness, a member of the security services, who had been referred to as Colonel B during the hearing. An order had been made for his name not to be disclosed during the hearing, but the court had had no power … Continue reading Attorney-General v Leveller Magazine Ltd: HL 1 Feb 1979
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
Appeal against care order. Citations: [2006] EWCA Civ 1864 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 31 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 09 July 2022; Ref: scu.249111
Child abduction proceedings had been issued after the father had applied for residence here. The mother now appealed against the temporary lifting of the stay on the father’s proceedings which followed her application. The judge ordered for the child’s return, as he was required to do, but also allowed the possibility of the father’s application … Continue reading In re EC (Child abduction: Stayed proceedings): CA 28 Jun 2006
The family had been through protracted family law proceedings and had been subject to orders restricting identification. The father now wanted to discuss his experiences and to campaign. He could not do so without his child being identified. Held: The protection given by the order against identification of the child did not continue beyond the … Continue reading Clayton v Clayton: CA 27 Jun 2006
The occupier had been granted a temporary licence by the authority under the homelessness provisions whilst it made its assessment. The assessment concluded that she had become homeless intentionally, and therefore terminated the licence and set out to evict her. She claimed that the authority had to get a court authority before so evicting her. … Continue reading Desnousse v London Borough of Newham and others: CA 17 May 2006
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
The claimants, mother and son, sought damages from the respondent after they had commenced care proceedings resulting in the son being taken into temporary care. The authority had wrongly suspected abuse. The boy was later found to suffer brittle bone disease. Held: The court could not have made the interim order sought without first concluding … Continue reading AD and OH (A Child) v Bury Metropolitan Borough Council: CA 17 Jan 2006
In two separate actions, fathers with parental responsibility sought orders requiring the mothers of their children to ensure they received the MMR vaccine. Each mother objected, having suspicions as to the safety of the treatment. Specific issue orders were sought. Held: The court found the evidence given by the expert for the mother’s unconvincing. There … Continue reading A and D v B and E: FD 13 Jun 2003