When a case is described finely balanced, how important are the children’s expressed wishes and feelings? Dorset Council v M & Ors (Removal : Balance of Harm) [2021] EWFC B43

When a case is described finely balanced, how important are the children’s expressed wishes and feelings? Dorset Council v M & Ors (Removal : Balance of Harm) [2021] EWFC B43

by | Sep 7, 2021 | Cases, Comment, Explanation, FCReportingWatch

This is a post by Sophie Smith-Holland. Sophie is a family law barrister at St John’s Chambers, Bristol. She tweets as @SSmithHolland. In my last post I wrote about a case where the Judge disagreed with all the professionals and refused to approve a care plan of...
KEEPING MUM

KEEPING MUM

by | Aug 26, 2021 | 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 When the social services department of a local authority believes that a child is likely...
‘Agony of fighting for my child in the courts… by a family lawyer: In a candid account, a lawyer reveals how – when she found herself in her clients’ shoes – it almost destroyed her’

‘Agony of fighting for my child in the courts… by a family lawyer: In a candid account, a lawyer reveals how – when she found herself in her clients’ shoes – it almost destroyed her’

by | Aug 24, 2021 | Cases, FCReportingWatch, Notorious

Earlier this week, the Daily Mail published a story with the headline above, written by Michelle Goodman, a mother who had been in dispute with her child’s father about contact arrangements. (Michelle Goodman is not the author’s real name).  We quickly recognised...