“Brain dead” baby – Court of Appeal confirms High Court’s decision to allow “dignity in death”

by Paul M | Feb 23, 2020 | Cases, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

We reported earlier on the High Court’s decision 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. Now the Court of Appeal have given their...

Re W – a successful appeal against a placement and care order (and a costs order against the LA)

by reporting watch team | Feb 13, 2020 | Cases, Comment, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

This is a post by Emily Boardman. Emily is a founding partner at Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP – family lawyers and mediators based in Oxfordshire. She has a national practice in adoption proceedings, appeals and representing parents in care proceedings. Emily...

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...