Secret babies – non-notification of dads and extended families

by Lucy Reed | Mar 16, 2020 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

Last year, we wrote a post about non-notification of fathers about family court applications where there was a history of violence or abuse, in particular where a child had been conceived of rape (See : When should I apply for permission not to notify a father about a...

“In the battle between the parents both children risk being run over by the tanks”

by Julie Doughty | Mar 13, 2020 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

This judgment, startlingly, comprises 500 paragraphs, although with a helpful List of Contents added by HHJ Dancey, at Bournemouth Family Court. The case is called JD and another v VB and others [2020] EWFC 16. The judge’s opening paragraphs [1-4] grab attention: “In...

How technology almost thwarted the family courts again (Z (A Child: committal proceeding))

by Malvika Jaganmohan | Mar 11, 2020 | Analysis, Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

Z (A Child: committal proceeding) [2020] EWFC B5 (24 January 2020) concerned committal proceedings (i.e. proceedings about whether a party should be sent to prison) within a broader private law dispute between two parents over their child, ‘Z’.  Father...

Compensation on divorce – don’t get (too) excited NOW UPDATED*

by Polly Morgan | Mar 3, 2020 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

The Guardian has reported on a divorce case where the wife has received half of the assets plus another £400,000 to compensate her ‘relationship – generated disadvantage: giving up work as a solicitor to become primary carer to the parties’ children while the husband...

Approaching Forced Marriage Protection Orders following Re K

by Guest Post | Mar 1, 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 Outline This post considers the guidance given by the President of the Family Division in the recent...

Another Re W – a successful appeal against refusal for leave to oppose an adoption

by Julie Doughty | Feb 23, 2020 | Cases, Comment, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

In this unusual case, Re W (A child: leave to oppose adoption) [2020] EWCA (Civ) 16, the Court of Appeal has given birth parents leave to oppose an adoption order being made. The child is nearly three years old and has been living with his prospective adopters since...