Surrogacy – Child Arrangement Orders – Park Square Barristers

‘This article summarises the recent landmark decision in Re Z (surrogacy agreements) (Child Arrangements Orders) [2016] EWFC 34 whereby the Court awarded full care of the child to the surrogate Mother.’

Full story

Park Square Barristers, 11th July 2016

Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk

These children died at the hands of their fathers when family courts failed to put them first – The Independent

‘Part of the problem is a lack of understanding of the nature and impact of domestic abuse, among judges and social workers. In particular, non-physical abuse is not well understood.’

Full story

The Independent, 20th January 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Court orders girl with two mothers to stay in touch with two fathers – The Guardian

Posted October 16th, 2015 in assisted reproduction, children, contact orders, news, paternity by sally

‘A 14-year-old girl who was born as a result of donor fertilisation and is now embroiled in an “extraordinary” high court case has been ordered to stay in touch with her two “fathers” against her wishes.’

Full story

The Guardian, 15th October 2015

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Seddon v Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council – WLR Daily

Posted October 2nd, 2015 in adoption, contact orders, human rights, law reports by tracey

Seddon v Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council; [2015] EWHC 2609 (Fam); [2015] WLR (D) 388

‘The making of an adoption order always brought to an end pre-existing rights under article 8 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms as between a birth parent and an adopted child, since those rights arose from, and co-existed with, the parent-child relationship which was extinguished by adoption. Furthermore, section 51A of the 2002 Act, as inserted, did not create or maintain an article 8 right as between a birth parent and an adopted child, nor was section 51A(4) incompatible with the Convention. However, a public body running a post-adoption letterbox service was obliged under article 8 to respect correspondence between a birth parent and an adopted child and adopters, the obligation arising from the nature of the correspondence and not from the former parent-child relationship.’

WLR Daily, 14th September 2015

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

The case of a Judge, a barrister, some bad weather and the right to that fundamental thing: A FAIR HEARING – The World of Family Law (Garden Court Chambers)

Posted August 28th, 2015 in appeals, contact orders, judges, news, setting aside by sally

‘In case you some how managed to miss it Re G is worth a revisit for all of those who know and recognise that need for a fair hearing before a fair tribunal. And of course for all of those who have seen in action just what unfairness can look like. Be bold , Re G, the idea of justice and those Court of Appeal Judges are there to help.’

Full story

The World of Family Law (Garden Court Chambers). 27th August 2015

Source: www.gcfamily.wordpress.com

Children: Private Law Update – Family Law Week

Posted August 13th, 2015 in appeals, children, contact orders, expert witnesses, news by sally

‘Alex Verdan QC, of 4 Paper Buildings, reviews recent important judgments in private law children cases.’
Full story

Family Law Week, 29th July 2015

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Judge blasts warring parents for damaging young sons – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 11th, 2015 in contact orders, divorce, families, news by sally

‘Family court judge says while each parent is devoted to their sons, the boys are “the most unfortunate children” because the estranged couple are unable to contain their hatred for each other’

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Daily Telegraph, 8th May 2015

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Man who imprisoned his wife at home is forbidden from seeing his daughters – The Guardian

Posted December 12th, 2014 in children, contact orders, families, news by sally

‘A man who imprisoned his wife in their home and expected her to be a servant cannot be allowed to see his two daughters, senior judges have ruled.’

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The Guardian, 11th December 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Post-Adoption Contact: All Change or More of the Same? – Family Law Week

Posted November 12th, 2014 in adoption, contact orders, families, news, parental responsibility, placement orders by tracey

‘Lance Dodgson, barrister of Bank House Chambers, considers the changes concerning post-adoption contact made by the Children and Families Act 2014 and asks what effect they will have in practice.’

Full story

Family Law Week, 11th November 2014

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Unhappy father must stop ‘snide remarks’ about ex-partner’s lesbian lover, judge rules – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 6th, 2014 in contact orders, families, news by sally

‘Mrs Justice Pauffley suggested the man and his ex-partner should talk about the ‘distress, unhappiness, mistrust and bitterness’ rather than sniping at each other.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 5th November 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Sperm deal children ‘irredeemably marred’ by four-parent feud – Daily Telegraph

‘Judge warns of trauma ‘unleashed’ by fallout from ‘known-donor fertilisation’ arrangement between former friends.’

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Daily Telegraph, 3rd November 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Transgendered Parents and Private Law Children Proceedings – Family Law Week

Posted October 10th, 2014 in children, contact orders, families, news by sally

‘Lyndsey Sambrooks-Wright, barrister of 2 Dr Johnson’s Buildings, considers issues arising in private law children proceedings when one parent undergoes gender reassignment.’

Full story

Family Law Week, 7th October 2014

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Children: Private Law Update – Family Law Week

‘Alex Verdan QC of 4 Paper Buildings considers recent judgments in private law children cases, including the President’s judgment on legal aid funding in Q v Q.’

Full story

Family Law Week, 19th September 2014

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

State should pay for representation and witnesses in private child disputes – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Public funding is not generally available for litigants in private-law children cases, and no expert can now be instructed in such a case unless the court is satisfied, in accordance with section 13(6) of the Children and Families Act 2014, that the expert is “necessary” to assist the court to resolve the proceedings “justly”.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 31st August 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

President of Family Division suggests courts should cover costs where legal aid cuts may impact access to justice – The World of Family Law (Garden Court Chambers)

‘Rachael Rowley-Fox explores the suggestion made by Sir James Munby, the President of the Family Division, that courts should spend money to ensure that justice is done in the wake of the legal aid cuts.’

Full story

The World of Family Law (Garden Court Chambers), 8th August 2014

Source: www.gcfamily.wordpress.com

In re D (Children) (CAFCASS: Safeguarding Checks) – WLR Daily

In re D (Children) (CAFCASS: Safeguarding Checks); [2014] EWHC 2376 (Fam); [2014] WLR (D) 312

‘Whether, in private family law proceedings, safeguarding inquiries should be conducted about third parties, such as partners, would depend on the precise circumstances of the various relationships. In practice, it would be expected that co-operation for such inquiries would generally be sought in respect of partners of the parties and if such a partner did not give his or her consent, an application to the court would usually be made by CAFCASS in its discretion.’

WLR Daily, 20th June 2014

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

 

 

The Hershman Levy Memorial Lecture 2014 – Speech by The Rt Hon Sir Andrew McFarlane

‘Speech by The Rt Hon Sir Andrew McFarlane: The Hershman Levy Memorial Lecture 2014 – Association of Lawyers for Children.’

Full speech

Judiciary of England and Wales, 26th June 2014

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Family court case spanning 13 years is ‘longest case’ in history, judge says – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 16th, 2014 in appeals, children, contact orders, family courts, news by sally

‘A family court case which has taken almost 13 years is believed by a judge to be the longest running in history.’

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Daily Telegraph, 13th June 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Lack of legal aid derails contact proceedings – The Guardian

‘The President of the Family Division has adjourned contact proceedings by an unrepresented father pending the Ministry of Justice or any other responsible body to come up with the solution to the problem of one parent suffering an injustice due to the withdrawal of legal aid.’

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 10th June 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Top family judge adjourns father’s contact case amid legal aid impasse – The Guardian

‘The most senior family judge in England and Wales has asked the justice secretary, Chris Grayling, to explain how a case involving a father’s contact with his son can proceed without legal aid.’

Full story

The Guardian, 9th June 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk