“Did everyone see that? Because I will not be doing it again.” – Jack Sparrow

by Lucy R | Nov 6, 2020 | Analysis, Cases, Comment, FCReportingWatch

So what about that Johnny Depp case then? All right, it’s a libel trial, and it involves celebs, and it’s nothing to do with the Family Court – but there are some interesting similarities between how family courts treat domestic abuse and how it was dealt with...

Challenging adoption – two recent cases

by Jack Harrison | Oct 26, 2020 | Analysis, Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

In this post, I am going to explain two recent decisions by the Court of Appeal about adoption. These are Re Y – which is about leave to oppose (I will explain), and Re JL which is about leave to revoke a placement order (I really will explain). These decisions are...

The Prodigal Son in Modern Life

by Barbara Rich | Oct 12, 2020 | Analysis, Cases, Comment, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

This post originally appeared on Medium and is republished with thanks. It’s an explanation of, and commentary about, the recent family court judgment from the former President, Sir James Munby, in FS v RS and JS [2020]. In 1984, the now-defunct Trustee Savings...

Another recusal refusal – but this time the Court of Appeal steps in

by Paul M | Aug 3, 2020 | Analysis, Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

In the second such case in a month, a judge has refused to recuse herself at the request of a litigant, but on this occasion the Court of Appeal has reversed that decision and ordered that she step down from the case and let another judge take over.  In the...

Re T (A Child: Refusal of Adoption Order) [2020] (EWCA Civ 797)

by Guest Post | Jul 31, 2020 | Analysis, Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

This is a guest post by Jessica Smith. Jessica is a Trainee Solicitor due to qualify in September 2020 and is aspiring to be a Family Solicitor. She tweets as @JessicaLSmith__ In the recent case of Re T (A Child: Refusal of Adoption Order) [2020] (EWCA Civ 797), the...

WHO DECIDES WHO DECIDES? WITHDRAWAL OF CARE PROCEEDINGS

by Guest Post | Jul 14, 2020 | Analysis, Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

This is a guest post by Laura Vickers. Laura is a specialist children law barrister and mediator practising at No5 Barristers’ Chambers. She tweets as @LauraVickersNo5 Where a local authority determines that the medical evidence falls short of proving that...