Family Court Reporting Watch Roundup

by reporting watch team | Feb 2, 2020 | Analysis, Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch, Transparency News

Welcome to the latest Roundup, where we correct, clarify and comment on media reports of family court cases, explain and comment on published family court judgments and highlight other transparency news MEDIA COVERAGE OF FAMILY COURT MATTERS The Independent and others...

“Brain dead” baby – how the court decides doctors can withdraw life support

by Paul M | Feb 2, 2020 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

In a recent case the court had to consider whether to allow a hospital to withdraw mechanical ventilation from a baby, who had been starved of oxygen during his birth and had been declared brain-stem dead by doctors, despite the objections of the baby’s parents. Such...

Contact, Ultra-Orthodox Judaism, and a Transgender Parent

by Emily Ward | Jan 28, 2020 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

This is a post by Emily Ward. Emily is a barrister based at Broadway House Chambers and is Deputy Head of the Family Team. She practises in all areas of family law, and has a particular interest in matrimonial finance and complex children cases. Emily...

Behind Closed Doors – ‘Best Interests’ review

by Polly Morgan | Jan 26, 2020 | Comment, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

Here is a story, based on reality. Esti is a Charedi woman, a member of a small, tight-knit group at the very religious end of Judaism. The mother of three children, she is left by her husband Yossi. After separation he becomes less observant, letting the children...

Legal divorce and amicable ancillaries

by Polly Morgan | Jan 25, 2020 | Cases, Comment, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

Once, back when I was a full-time solicitor, I was telephoned for a divorce by a nice married couple. They were sitting at the kitchen table in one of their houses, having been separated for a number of years and each was happily living with a new partner. They were...

“No” means No. – JH v MF

by Guest Post | Jan 23, 2020 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch, Notorious

This is a guest post by Alexandra Wilson, barrister at 5 St Andrews Hill Chambers. Warning: Please note that quotations from this judgment contain some descriptions of sexual assault and rape. This case, JH v MF [2020] EWHC 86 (Fam) was an appeal from the Central...