Litigation friend ordered to pay £42,000 costs for ‘wholly inadequate’ performance
A litigation friend who was said to be suffering from depression has been ordered to pay more than £42,000 in costs after a judge found his performance ‘wholly inadequate’. Full story: Law Society Gazette.
Litigant in person jailed for contempt in family case
A judge has acknowledged the ‘extremely high’ prison population before sentencing a litigant in person who recorded private adoption proceedings to four months in prison. Full story: Law Society Gazette.
Court of Appeal rejects appeal by mother over dismissal of application to discharge placement orders
The Court of Appeal has rejected a mother’s appeal against the dismissal of her application to discharge placement orders made in respect of her two children. Full story: Local Government Lawyer.
Researchers call for “urgent revision” to fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) guidance
Researchers at the University of Leeds have called for “urgent revision” to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) guidance, including to address its “failure to recognise the harm to parents and children caused by allegations of FII”. Full story: Local Government Lawyer.
Vision for the future of civil and family courts and tribunals
Today the Lord Chancellor and senior judiciary launch a shared vision for the future of the civil and family courts and tribunals system. Full story: Ministry of Justice.
A & Ors (Child Contracting Gonorrhoea), Re [2023] EWFC 211 (26 October 2023)
Public law proceedings, issued shortly after the eldest child, now aged 8, tested positive for gonorrhoea. Full report: National Archives.
Application by father for summary return of child to Slovakia. Mother’s harm defence made out but protective measures found to be sufficient. Return ordered. Full report: National Archives.
Application for an order that the court refuse to recognise a divorce obtained in Indonesia in 2017. Application granted. Full report: National Archives.
Application by the Father, who resides in Lithuania, for rights of access under Art 21. Fact-finding to consider mother’s allegations of abuse. Full report: National Archives.
His Majesty’s Solicitor General v Jason-Steven: Wong [2023] EWHC 2966 (Fam) (21 November 2023)
Sentencing hearing following finding of defendant’s contempt for covertly recording adoption hearing. Full report: Bailii.
Y v Z [2023] EWFC 205 (26 October 2023)
Judgment following application by husband to vary 2015 financial remedies order. Costs order made against wife’s ‘wholly inadequate’ litigation friend. Full report: Bailii.
GF (A Minor), Re [2023] EWFC 203 (11 July 2023)
Application by father to terminate his parental responsibility for child, because he has no continuing relationship with her. Full report: Bailii.
AP v BP and others (financial remedies – appeal – disclosure – privilege) [2023] EWFC 169 (09 March 2023)
Appeal by husband from refusal of application for disclosure of documents relating to the transfer of shares, finding that the documents were subject to litigation privilege. Appeal allowed. Full report: Bailii.