Latest updates
- The mother wrongfully removed the son to the UK. Her application for asylum on the basis of being a victim of domestic violence was granted on appeal. The father was applying under the Hague Convention for summary return, and in this hearing applied for disclosure of the asylum files relating to the mother and child, contending that his Article 6 and 8 rights could not otherwise be preserved. The Secretary of State for the Home Department resisted disclosure. HHJ Corbett was satisfied that the impact of disclosure upon the asylum process would outweigh the impact of non-disclosure on the Article 6 and 8 rights of the father and child. The application for disclosure was refused. Judgment, 05/09/2019, free
- To be broadcast 1pm, Wednesday 9th October 2019. News, 02/09/2019, free
- The father would not give consent for his seven-year-old daughter to have brain surgery to alleviate her drug resistant epilepsy, and so the mother applied for a specific issue order. There was a 1 in 2 chance of the procedure being successful. The risk to the child's life could be as high as 1 in 500, but there was a 1 in 250 risk to her life each year from the epilepsy if uncontrolled. Taking all matters into account, and guided by the paramount question of the child's welfare, Gwynneth Knowles J made a specific issue order to the effect that the surgery should take place. Judgment, 18/08/2019, free
- The questions were whether a child should be told of his biological father, whether the husband (the psychological father) should be allowed to take the child on holiday to France, and what directions should be given relating to a deceit claim. The mother did not want the child to be told, and the biological father denied his paternity. Cohen J decided that the child should be told when an independent social worker, agreed upon by the parents, thought the time was right. He refused permission for the holiday, not being confident that the child's return could be achieved if the husband took him to the UAE. Cohen J allowed the mother's application to strike out the deceit claim to proceed to a hearing. Judgment, 18/08/2019, free
- The mother applied to change the daughter's surname to that of her second husband. As well as applying for contact under article 21 of the Hague Convention, the father wanted to know the daughter's school and GP. He had a history of violent and threatening behaviour towards the mother and child. Theis J decided that the mother should be permitted to withhold that information, but refused the application to change the daughter's surname, because such a step would not meet her welfare needs. Judgment, 13/08/2019, free
Latest know-how
- In a tweet: Mother’s (“M”) appeal allowed in respect of private law child proceedings in which she alleged she had been “stranded” by the father (“F”) in Pakistan. Case note, 13/09/2019, members only
- An application for the child to be made a ward of the court and for a child arrangements order was rejected. Case note, 13/09/2019, members only
- An application brought by the paternal aunt and uncle for permission to remove the child from the jurisdiction of England and Wales, in order to give evidence in a criminal trial. Case note, 13/09/2019, members only
- In a tweet: Unsuccessful application brought by father of twin boys for their return from China to this jurisdiction pursuant to inherent jurisdiction of the High Court. Case note, 13/09/2019, members only
- In a tweet: Appeal by father against a decision to order only indirect contact between he and his son part allowed in complex Children Act proceedings with a private and public law interface. Case note, 06/08/2019, members only
Latest training
- Recording of webinar first broadcast on 21st March 2019 Webcast, 26/03/2019, members only
- Recording of webinar first broadcast on 23 November 2018. Webcast, 29/11/2018, members only
- Roshi Amiraftabi of 29 Bedford Row, reviews the key private children law cases, themes and practice developments from the past 12 months. Webcast, 31/05/2018, members only
- Mena Ruparel and Mark Penston unpick the complex task of understanding the different types of remuneration that might crop up in financial remedy proceedings. Webcast, 19/04/2018, members only
- Two webcasts taken from a webinar first broadcast live on 20 June 2017 Webcast, 22/06/2017, members only
Latest sources
- The text of guidance requiring orders in non-financial cases to be drafted on the day of the hearing in the Central Family Court. In force from 12 November 2018 Practice direction, 23/11/2018, free
- Came into force on 23 July 2018 Practice direction, 27/07/2018, free
- Application for arbitration in children cases Form, 19/07/2016, free
- Tool (external), 27/03/2014, free
- Form (external), 01/04/2012, free