Published Cases | 1GC|Family Law

20 November 2024

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children v Braqi & Ors [2024] EWHC 2910

Malcolm Chisholm acted for the child through his Guardian in the recent case of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust v Neriman Braqi & Anor [2024] EWHC 2901.

15 November 2024

N (Children: Fact Finding - Perplexing Presentation/Fabricated or Induced Illness), Re [2024] EWFC 326

In this case, Andrew Bagchi KC and Fareha Choudhury acted for the father and Sally Stone KC acted for the guardian.

15 November 2024

Re T (Fresh Evidence on Appeal) (2014) EWCA Civ 1384

Louise MacLynn KC and Edward Flood appeared for the local authority and mother respectively in the important decision in the Court of Appeal regarding the test for the admission of fresh evidence on appeal.

04 October 2024

Kaha v Lahmer [2024] EWHC 2439

Liz Andrews successfully represented the applicant mother in committal proceedings.

30 September 2024

AOX v LSX [2024] EWHC 2379

Liz Andrew represented the respondent mother in a complex fact-finding hearing within the applicant father’s application for direct contact in Ukraine, made pursuant to Article 21 of the Hague Convention.

23 September 2024

London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham v G & Ors [2024] EWHC 2200

5 members of chambers; Sam Momtaz KC, Laura Briggs KC, Louise MacLynn KC, Mark Rawcliffe and Emily Verity were involved in this important case regarding expert evidence in cases involving the death of a child and where there is a parallel police investigation.

08 August 2024

D-S (A Child: Adoption or Fostering), Re [2024] EWCA Civ 948

This case concerned an appeal by the Local Authority, supported by the Children’s Guardian, against a decision of HHJ Tolson KC, refusing a placement order in respect of a child of 11 months on the basis that it had not been established that “nothing else would do.”

31 July 2024

AA (Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment: No Best Interests Decision), Re [2024] EWCOP 39 (T3)

In this case Kate Mather acted for the parents of AA in this withdrawal of life sustaining treatment.

26 July 2024

P v Q and F (Child: Legal Parentage) [2024] EWCA Civ 878

In this case Karen Kabweru-Namulemu appeared for the appellant and Janet Bazley KC and Luke Eaton appeared for the second respondent.

22 July 2024

A (A Child): Contested Adoption and Local Authority Conduct, Re [2024] EWFC 192 (B)

Tom Wilson acted for the prospective adopters in the recently published case of Re A (A Child: Contested Adoption and Local Authority Conduct) [2024] EWFC 192 (B).

16 July 2024

T-D (Children: Specific Issue Order), Re [2024] EWCA Civ 793

Richard Jones and Melissa Elsworth, instructed by Duncan Lewis, successfully represented a mother pro bono in the Court of Appeal in relation to the making of Specific Issue Orders in private law proceedings.

03 July 2024

P v Q, R and S (Claim against Assets of Extended Family) [2024] EWFC 164 (B)

In this case Elizabeth Darlington successfully represented the intervenors (the husband’s parents) in defeating a claim made by the wife in respect of two properties owned by them, in the course of financial remedy proceedings.

13 June 2024

ZZ v AA [2024] EWHC 1411

Liz Andrews represented the applicant father. The matter concerned an application made by the father, pursuant to the inherent jurisdiction, for the return of the parties two children from India to the UK.

05 June 2024

AT v BT [2023] EWHC 3531

Jennifer Kavanagh appeared on behalf of the applicant wife in the High Court case of AT v BT [2023] EWHC 3531 in which the compensation principle was engaged in a fashion not previously seen in case law.

05 June 2024

NW v BH [2024] EWFC 118 (B)

Philip Perrins acted for the applicant wife in this archetypical ‘needs case’ that involved numerous factual issues.

10 May 2024

P and Q (Rights of Custody, Settlement, Grave Risk of Harm, Objections), Re [2024] EWHC 991

Julia Gasparro represented the respondent mother in this matter which concerned an application issued in July 2023, by the father pursuant to the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 for a summary return order, under the 1980 Hague Convention.

09 May 2024

O v P & Anor [2024] EWHC 1077

Tom Wilson acted for the father in this recently published case which concerned a mother’s application for an adjournment of proceedings and a declaration that the medical treatment of transgender young people with puberty blockers or hormones by a private clinic must be subject to the oversight of the Court.

22 April 2024

P v Q & Ors [2024] EWFC 85 (B)

Karen Kabweru-Namulemu led by Amanda Weston KC, appeared on behalf of the first respondent and Louise MacLynn KC and Luke Eaton appeared on behalf of the second respondent regarding an application for a declaration of parentage where there was a question as to how the provisions of sections 34 and 42 HFEA 2008 apply

19 April 2024

H & Anor v S & Anor [2024] EWHC 730

Olivia Magennis, instructed by Jemma Dally of Goodman Ray, acted for the applicant fathers in the High Court before Mrs...

28 March 2024

T (Children: Non-Disclosure), Re [2024] EWCA Civ 241

Andrew Bagchi KC and Helen Jefferson acted for the respondent mother and Richard Jones acted for the respondent children by their Children’s Guardian in the Court of Appeal in the case of T (Children: Non-Disclosure), Re [2024] EWCA Civ 241

26 March 2024

AB (a child), Re [2024] EWHC 586

Tom Wilson acted for the Secretary of State for Education in a recent case before the President of the Family Division concerning the interplay between adoption and surrogacy law.

08 March 2024

N (Adoption – Surrogacy), Re [2024] EWFC 41

Sharon Segal acted on behalf of the applicants in their successful application for an adoption order in respect of an 18-year-old, born as a result of a surrogacy agreement. This is the first reported decision where, in the context of a surrogacy, the birth parents’ consent to an adoption order has been dispensed with on welfare grounds

07 February 2024

Z (Surrogacy: Step-parent Adoption), Re [2024] EWFC 20

Janet Bazley KC, Olivia Magennis and Melissa Elsworth, appeared on behalf of the surrogate mother and Alison Moore and Luke Eaton appeared on behalf of the Children’s Guardian. The case concerned the application of a non-biological intended parent for a step-parent adoption order, in circumstances in which the parental order had been discharged by the Court of Appeal

26 January 2024

SW v SH & Ors [2021] EWFC 126

Philip Perrins acted for the applicant wife in the recently reported case of SW v SH & Ors [2021] EWFC 126, originally determined in 2021. This was a complex application for financial relief under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984, following a Moroccan divorce that had been obtained by the husband by stealth.

17 January 2024

H (Step-Parent Adoption: Human Rights), Re [2023] EWHC 3186

Richard Jones and Emma Colebatch acted for the child in H (Step-Parent Adoption: Human Rights), Re [2023] EWHC 3186. The case concerned an application for adoption by a stepparent that did not meet the ordinary interpretation of the requirements set out by section 51(2).

16 January 2024

RN v DA (divorce - rescission of decree nisi) [2023] EWFC 255

David Burles, instructed by Belmont & Lowe, representing the respondent wife, successfully argued that a decree nisi pronounced in 2012 should be rescinded on the ground of a material change of circumstance in RN v DA [2023] EWFC 255.

12 December 2023

RG v TA (Appeal: Legal Services Funding Order: Schedule 1 Children Act 1989) [2023] EWHC 3155

Katherine Dunseath acted for the appellant father in this legal costs funding appeal before Mrs Justice Roberts for funding in Schedule 1 and Children Act matters.

01 December 2023

C v M (A Child) (Abduction: Representation of Child Party) [2023] EWCA Civ 1449

Deirdre Fottrell KC, Siobhan F Kelly, Sharon Segal and door tenant Lorraine Cavanagh KC intervened in this appeal, on behalf of the Association of Lawyers for Children (ALC).

24 November 2023

Monisha Mahtani v Vivek Hariram Mahtani [2023] EWHC 2988

Philip Perrins acted for the successful applicant in Monisha Mahtani v Vivek Hariram Mahtani [2023] EWHC 2988 before Mr James Ewins KC, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge.

15 November 2023

Re H (Children: Placement Orders) [2023] EWCA Civ 1245

Henry Lamb, representing the appellant children through their children’s guardian, and Gary Crawley, representing the respondent local authority, were successful in the Court of Appeal in this case.

07 November 2023

The Mother v The Father [2023] EWHC 2078

Jessica Lee and Luke Eaton successfully argued that the appellant mother and the intervenor should pay a significant share of the expert's costs of the appeal, Re C (‘Parental Alienation’; Instruction of Expert) [2023] EWHC 345.

20 October 2023

WSP (A Child) (Vaccination: religious objection), Re [2023] EWHC 2622

Siobhan F Kelly represented the child through their guardian in this case involving a child receiving childhood vaccinations.

15 September 2023

D (A Child), Re (Abduction: Child’s Objections: Representation of Child Party) [2023] EWCA Civ 1047

Deirdre Fottrell KC, Siobhan F Kelly, Sharon Segal and door tennant Lorraine Cavanagh KC intervened in this appeal which concerned the role of solicitor guardians in Hague Proceedings.

31 August 2023

SA, Re (Declaration of Non-Recognition of Marriage) [2023] EWCA Civ 1003

In a landmark Judgment by the Court of Appeal, recently published, Jessica Lee successfully responded to an application regarding the non-recognition of a Marriage.

15 August 2023

J v A [2023] EWFC 132

Philip Perrins acted for the successful petitioner in this case concerning an application for a stay of English proceedings in favour of a competing Nigerian divorce petition.

09 August 2023

SA v AA (Rev1) [2023] EWHC 2016

Niamh Daly acted in the High Court case of SA v AA [2023] EWHC 2016 in which the mother applied for inward return orders in respect of three children from Somaliland; and forced marriage and female genital mutilation protection orders in respect of one child.

08 August 2023

Re JW (Child at Home under Care Order) [2023] EWCA Civ 944

Jessica Lee recently appeared in the landmark case of Re JW (Child at Home under Care Order) [2023] EWCA Civ 944 in which, for the first time in years, the Court of Appeal considered the approach to be taken when children are placed at home at the conclusion of proceedings.

27 July 2023

The Father v The Mother [2023] EWHC 1454

Gemma Kelly, appeared on behalf of the Applicant father as a Special Advocate in closed proceedings in this private law children matter.

27 July 2023

Derbyshire County Council v Shannon Marsden & Ors [2023] EWHC 1892

A High Court judgment has recently been published, involving Andrew Norton KC and Lorraine Cavanagh KC, determining the extent of appropriate reporting following press interest by the BBC and other news organisations in a public law case.

25 July 2023

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham v RM & Ors [2023] [2023] EWHC 1879 & EWHC 777

Two judgments involving Richard Jones, Melissa Elsworth, Jessica Lee and Olivia Magennis have recently been published reflecting an interim and final decision in respect of the local authority’s application to disclose the mother’s HIV status to the father and within care proceedings more generally.

18 July 2023

A v B & Ors (Wardship; Parental Order; s10(9) Leave Application) [2023] EWHC 1680

Three members of Chambers successfully acted in this recently published case. Deirdre Fottrell KC and Tom Wilson, instructed by Farrer & Co, acted for the father. Sharon Segal, instructed by Goodman Ray, acted for the Surrogate and her husband.

25 May 2023

Re H (a Child) [2023] EWFC 19

Nkumbe Ekaney KC acted for the first respondent mother in the recent decision of Re H (a Child) [2023] EWFC 19, in which the court considered the risks of Female Genital Mutilation to child arrangements, namely international travel and the child’s contact with F.

11 April 2023

A v B and C [2023] EWCA Civ 360

Deirdre Fottrell KC and Tom Wilson acted for the respondent father in the recent decision of A v B and C [2023] EWCA Civ 360.

13 March 2023

OC v CD [2023] EWHC 530

Andrew Venables, instructed by Duncan Lewis, appeared in the High Court for the respondent in OC v CD [2023] EWHC 530

09 March 2023

B & Anor v D & Ors. [2023] EWFC 18

Tom Wilson, instructed by Goodman Ray, appeared for the applicants, the case concerned legal issues arising from an international adoption of two children, including the differences between the court recognising a foreign adoption or making a fresh domestic adoption order.

28 February 2023

Re S (Inherent Jurisdiction: Transgender Surgery Abroad) [2023] EWHC 347

Six members of chambers acted in this case before the President in which Guidance was given on the use of the inherent jurisdiction by local authorities. The case involved an application by a local authority to prevent a young trans person from travelling out of the UK to obtain ‘top surgery’ in another jurisdiction.

27 February 2023

Re P, H-L (Children) (Mobile Phone Extraction) [2023] EWCA Civ 206

Sam Momtaz KC appeared for the father in this case in which the Court of Appeal gave guidance on the correct procedure for extracting relevant social media evidence in care proceedings.

21 February 2023

Re C (‘Parental Alienation’; Instruction of Expert) [2023] EWHC 345

The President of the Family Division handed down judgment in the case of Re C (‘Parental Alienation’; Instruction of Expert) [2023] EWHC 345 (Fam). Andrew Bagchi KC, Jessica Lee and Luke Eaton appeared for the expert.

03 February 2023

X & Anor v M [2022] EWFC 168

Niamh Daly appeared in front of Judd J on behalf of a local authority in a case concerning a non-agency adoption in which the adopters, and the relevant young person did not wish for the mother to be notified of the application.

16 January 2023

Re C (Surrogacy: Consent) [2023] EWCA Civ 16

Janet Bazley KC, Olivia Magennis and Melissa Elsworth appeared on behalf of the successful Appellant in Re C (Surrogacy: Consent) [2023] EWCA Civ 16, an important decision which considered, for the first time, the consent requirements of s54(6) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.

11 January 2023

Re S (A Child) & Anor (s 20 Accommodation) [2023] EWCA Civ 1

Deirdre Fottrell KC and Emily James were instructed in a case resulting in an important new decision from the Court of Appeal on the use of s.20 Children Act 1989.

06 December 2022

A & Anor v B & Ors [2022] EWHC 3089

Deirdre Fottrell KC and Tom Wilson successfully defended an appeal before Knowles J

21 November 2022

X, Re (Catastrophic Injury: Collection and Storage of Sperm) [2022] EWCOP 48

Richard Jones and Melissa Elsworth were involved in this case regarding posthumous fertility treatment in the Court of Protection in front of Mr Justice Poole.

16 November 2022

Re C (A Child) (Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order)

Tom Wilson appeared in the long-running case of Re C (A Child) (Parental Order & Child Arrangements Order), in which two further judgments have now been published.

04 November 2022

A (Children) (Pool of Perpetrators), Re [2022] EWCA Civ 1348

Tom Wilson acted for the children in the recent Court of Appeal decision in Re A (Children) (Pool of Perpetrators).

04 November 2022

Boughajdim v Hayoukane (Validity of Foreign Marriage) [2022] EWHC 2673

Philip Perrins acted for the respondent in a recent decision of Mr Justice MacDonald concerning an English divorce petition which relied on a decision of the Moroccan courts pursuant to the operation of law designed to provide retrospective recognition of marriage in that jurisdiction.

14 October 2022

Re X (A Child) (Placement application: LIFT assessment) [2022] EWFC 117

Nkumbe Ekaney KC instructed by Taylor Rose MW, acted for the mother in care proceedings before HHJ Lazarus, including discussion of LIFT assessments and the BeST? research programme.

14 September 2022

A Local Authority v BB & Ors [2022] EWFC 105

Andrew Bagchi KC appeared in this fact-finding hearing involving a series of fractures sustained by a baby in the first weeks of life.

16 August 2022

HM v HA [2022] EWHC 2042

Matthew Fletcher, instructed by London Family Solicitor, acted for the applicant mother in an International Child Abduction case recently decided by Mrs Justice Judd CBEJ.

08 August 2022

W-A (Children : Foreign Conviction) [2022] EWCA Civ 1118

Andrew Norton QC acting on behalf of the third respondent children and Sam Momtaz QC acting for the second respondent mother were instruced in the Court of Appeal regarding admissibility of foreign convictions.

22 July 2022

X v Y [2022] EWFC 77

A decision concerning a Declaration of Parentage has been handed down by Mrs Justice Theis. Deirdre Fottrell QC and Olivia Magennis were instructed for the applicant.

12 July 2022

R v G [2022] EWHC 1428

Andrew Venables acted on behalf of the respondent father in an application for a stay of proceedings on forum non conveniens grounds following the applicant mother removing the children to Jordan.

06 July 2022

Re AZ (A Child) (Recusal) [2022] EWCA Civ 911

Tom Wilson acted for the Respondent father in an appeal against Mr Justice Keehan’s decision to refuse an application for him to recuse himself made in long-running private law proceedings concerning a child.

11 May 2022

Re D (A Child) [2022] EWCA Civ 641

Andrew Venables appeared on behalf of the Lord Chancellor in this appeal concerning the extent of the appeal rights under the 2007 Hague Convention.

06 May 2022

Re L, Re M (Declaration of Parentage) [2022] EWFC 38

A significant decision concerning Declarations of Parentage has been handed down by Mr Justice Cobb. Deirdre Fottrell QC and Olivia Magennis acted pro bono for both applicants.

04 May 2022

Tickle v Herefordshire County Council & Ors [2022] EWHC 1017

Malcolm Chisholm and Niamh Daly acted for the local authority in an important case which related to the rapidly developing issue of transparency in the Family Court.

13 April 2022

Somerset County Council v NHS Somerset CCG and Others [2022] EWFC 31

Alev Giz again appeared on behalf of CAFCASS Legal as Advocate to the Court in this second and final instalment of the litigation flowing from flawed adoption practices in Somerset.

05 April 2022

X v Z (Parental Order Adult) [2022] EWFC 26

A significant decision concerning parental orders and the scope of section 54(3) HFEA 2008 has been handed down by Mrs Justice Theis. Deirdre Fottrell QC acted for the applicants and Sharon Segal acted for the young adult.

25 March 2022

Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum v Princess Haya [2021] EWHC 3480 and [2022] EWFC 16 (Fam)

Deirdre Fottrell QC, Marlene Cayoun and Tom Wilson acted for the children, instructed by CAFCASS.

25 March 2022

Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum v Princess Haya [2021] EWHC 3480 and [2022] EWFC 16 (Fam)

Charles Geekie QC and Sharon Segal acted for Her Royal Highness, instructed by Baroness Shackleton, Payne Hicks Beach.

24 March 2022

An NHS Trust v ST (Refusal of Deprivation of Liberty Order) [2022] EWHC 719

Richard Jones represented the child through their Children’s Guardian in this recently published High Court case regarding the application for deprivation of liberty of a child.

10 March 2022

Z (A Child) (Surrogacy) [2022] EWFC 18

Marlene Cayoun and Beth Hibbert acted for the applicant mother in proceedings concerning an unusual application for a parental order in respect of a child born by surrogacy in Georgia in 2017, which arose in the context of ongoing care proceedings.

10 February 2022

P v Q (Financial Remedies) [2022] EWFC B9

Simon Sugar acted in the case of P v Q (Financial Remedies) [2022] EWFC B9, the judgment in the case is the first to set out the approach to be taken by a court to the treatment of soft loans.

07 February 2022

H-N (the rehearing) [2021] EWFC B98 (05 October 2021)

Steven Ashworth, instructed by Tony McGovern of Creighton & Partners, represented the child H-N at the re-hearing of a fact-finding hearing before HHJ Lynn Roberts, concerning disputed allegations of domestic abuse.

01 December 2021

M (A Child) [2021] EWHC 3225 (Fam)

Deirdre Fottrell QC appeared in a successful appeal before Judd J in private law case in which guidance is given about vulnerable witnesses and special measures.

10 November 2021

Somerset CC v NHS Somerset CCG & Primary Cohort Children [2021] EWHC 3004 (Fam)

Alev Giz appeared on behalf of CAFCASS Legal as Advocate to the Court in this decision concerning the legality of placement orders

03 November 2021

Derby City Council v BA & Ors [2021] EWHC 2931 (Fam)

Sarah Morgan QC and Patrick Paisley appeared for the young person in Derby City Council v BA & Ors [2021] EWHC 2931 (Fam)

25 October 2021

G (Adoption; Notice Under s35 ACA 2002; Revocation of Placement Order) [2021] EWFC 93

Tom Wilson acted for the prospective adopters in these proceedings concerning an adoption application in relation to one child and an application to revoke a placement order in relation to the other.

06 October 2021

Al Maktoum Judgments

As widely reported in the press, a series of judgments from the High Court and the Court of Appeal were published today in the proceedings between His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Her Royal Highness Princess Haya bint Al Hussein concerning their two children.

06 October 2021

Al Maktoum Judgments

As widely reported in the press, a series of judgments from the High Court and the Court of Appeal were published today in the proceedings between His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Her Royal Highness Princess Haya bint Al Hussein concerning their two children.

30 July 2021

T (A Child), Re [2021] UKSC 35

The Supreme Court handed down judgment In The matter of T (A Child) (Appellant). Deirdre Fottrell QC and Sharon Segal represented the Association of Lawyers for Children who intervened in the case.

23 July 2021

A (A Child) (Fact Finding; Modern Slavery) [2021] EWFC 79

Two members of 1GC acted in this fact-finding hearing in care proceedings brought by a Local Authority regarding a 5-year-old child.

14 July 2021

AA v BB [2021] EWHC 1822 (Fam)

Lucy Maxwell appeared in the High Court on behalf of the successful appellant in AA v BB [2021] EWHC 1822 (Fam).

05 July 2021

A and B (Parental Alienation: No. 1, No.2, No.3 and No.4), Re [2020] EHWC 3366

Janet Bazley QC appeared for The Father in this child arrangements dispute.

25 June 2021

Des Pallieres v Des Pallieres

Katherine Dunseath was successful in the Court of Appeal in this complex matter concerning the transitional provisions of the Maintenance Regulation and the ambit of FPR 4.1(6)

15 June 2021

R (Care Proceedings Joinder of Foster Carers) [2021] EWCA Civ 875

Four members of Chambers appeared in the recent Court of Appeal case R (Care Proceedings Joinder of Foster Carers) [2021] EWCA Civ 875.

28 May 2021

A (a child : fact-finding) [2021] EWFC B29 (18 March 2021)

Several members of 1GC acted in this hybrid fact-finding hearing in care proceedings involving allegations of non-accidental injury. The local authority sought findings in relation to a range of bruises sustained by the child over a period of 15 months.

05 May 2021

AX v BX & Ors (Revocation of Adoption Order) [2021] EWHC 1121

Deirdre Fottrell QC acted for the applicants and Tom Wilson acted for the third respondent in the recent case of AX and BX v Others.

30 April 2021

F & G, Re (Discharge of Special Guardianship Order) [2021] EWCA Civ 622

Deirdre Fottrell QC acted in a case for a Special Guardian in which the Court of Appeal gave guidance as to the use of special guardianship orders and care orders together.

06 April 2021

A, B And C (Children), Re [2021] EWCA Civ 451 (01 April 2021)

Andrew Bagchi QC and Anna Lavelle were successful in the Court of Appeal upholding an appeal on behalf of a juvenile intervener in care proceedings.

28 October 2020

Z v X (Declaration of Parentage) [2020] EWFC 67

Tom Wilson, instructed by Goodman Ray, appeared on behalf of the children in this case concerning applications for declarations of parentage of three donor-conceived children.

16 October 2020

CTD (A Child: Rehearing) [2020] EWCA Civ 1316

Andrew Bagchi QC acted in the important case of CTD (A Child: Rehearing) in the Court of Appeal

18 August 2020

R v P (Children: Similar Fact Evidence) [2020] EWCA Civ 1088

Tom Wilson recently appeared in R v P (Children: Similar Fact Evidence) [2020] EWCA Civ 1088.

10 June 2020

C (Children : Covid-19: Representation) [2020] EWCA Civ 734

Darren Howe QC and Sally Stone appeared for the Respondent Children in this appeal which provides an important clarification about remote hearings.

21 May 2020

London Borough of Haringey v A and B and others [2020] EWFC 38 (Fam)

Gemma Kelly represented the Guardian and successfully argued for severe findings to be made against the Local Authority.

15 May 2020

A Local Authority v The Mother & Ors [2020] EWHC 1233 (Fam)

Darren Howe QC and Sally Stone acted for the children in a case where Williams J gave a useful analysis of the matters to be considered when hearing a case remotely, in person or in hybrid form.

14 May 2020

Re D (A Child) (Appeal out of Time) [2020] EWHC 1167 (Fam)

In this groundbreaking decision, Francesca Wiley QC and Laura Briggs won an appeal on behalf of a father accused of sexually abusing his daughter, seven years ago.

07 May 2020

Re Q [2020] EWHC 1109 (Fam)

In a hearing before the President of the Family Division, Deirdre Fottrell QC and Lucy Maxwell acted for the appellant...

06 May 2020

VE v AO, Royal Borough of Greenwich & South East London CCG [2020] EWCOP 23

Judgment was handed down today in the case of VE v AO, Royal Borough of Greenwich & South East London CCG [2020] EWCOP 23 in which Alev Giz represented the applicant on her application for an order that it was in her mother’s best interests to leave her care home and move to live her last days with her daughter in the light of her mother’s diagnosis with terminal cancer and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

22 April 2020

Re X (Revocations of Testamentary Guardianship) [2020] EWFC 33

Tom Wilson acted for a prospective adopter in his application to the High Court for the revocation of a testamentary guardianship order in respect of his niece.

25 March 2020

Re A (Children) [2020] EWCA Civ 448

Steven Ashworth represented the mother in the Court of Appeal, concerning disclosure from care proceedings to the police following a fact-finding hearing which addressed serious brain injuries sustained by a baby. Sam Momtaz QC led Steven at the 3 week fact-finding hearing.

28 February 2020

I (Children: Child Assessment Order) [2020] EWCA Civ 281

Nkumbe Ekaney QC and Richard Jones appeared in the Court of Appeal in I (Children: Child Assessment Order) [2020] EWCA Civ 281 (28 February 2020), a case regarding the correct test for the making and use of s.43 Children Act Child Assessment Orders in radicalisation cases.

21 February 2020

K (Forced Marriage: Passport Order) (Rev 2) [2020] EWCA Civ 190

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Marlene Cayoun acted in the important case of Re K (Forced Marriage: Passport Order) in the Court of Appeal

27 January 2020

Re Al M (Children)

By a judgment handed down on 27 January 2020 and published on 5 March 2020 (the “Publication Judgment”) the President of...

10 January 2020

A (A Child: Flawed Placement Application) [2020] EWFC B2 (10 January 2020)

On 10 January 2020, Susan George successfully defended a placement application. Judgment was provided on 27 January 2020. Susan acted for the father of a child known as A.

18 December 2019

T (Parental Alienation), Re [2019] EWHC 3854 (Fam)

Richard Jones acted for the father in a parental alienation case where the mother was unable to promote a relationship between father and daughter; the care of the child was transferred to the father.

27 November 2019

B (Secure Accommodation Order), Re (Rev 1) [2019] EWCA Civ 2025

In a case heard in the Court of Appeal, B (Secure Accommodation Order), Re (Rev 1) [2019] EWCA Civ 2025 Denise Gilling was part of the legal team who acted on behalf of the intervenors concerning an appeal refusing a secure accommodation order for a fifteen year old girl.

25 November 2019

Re I-L (Children) (1996 Hague Child Protection Convention: Inherent Jurisdiction) [2019] EWCA Civ 1956

The Court of Appeal clarifies that the inherent jurisdiction is not available where the 1996 Hague Convention applies. Deirdre Fottrell QC and Eleri Jones acted for the successful appellant in Re I-L [2019] EWCA Civ 1956.

19 November 2019

MDR v MDR (suspended residence transfer-parental alientation) [2019] EWHC B61 (Fam)

Francesca Wiley QC acted successfully on behalf of the Applicant Father and Elpha Le Cointe appeared on behalf of the NYAS Guardian in a case of suspended residence transfer and parental alienation.

14 November 2019

A (No. 2) (Children: Findings of Fact) [2019] EWCA Civ 1947

Alison Ball QC, leading Gemma Kelly and Andrew Bagchi QC, represented the parents who were the successful appellants in the Court of Appeal in a decision handed down on 14 November 2019.

06 November 2019

AA & 25 Ors (Children) (Rev 2) [2019] EWFC 64

Judgment has now made public in the case of AA & 25 Ors (Children) (Rev 2) [2019] EWFC 64, in which ...

31 October 2019

C (Appellant) v C (Respondent) (Jersey) [2019] UKPC 40

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has today reported to Her Majesty that the appeal in the matter of C v C should be dismissed. Deirdre Fottrell QC and Eleri Jones were part of the respondent’s successful team. This is an interesting private international law case about recognition of foreign orders and concepts of parentage under the children law in Jersey in relation to financial provision for children.

16 October 2019

Re RH (Parental Alienation) [2019] EWHC 2723 (Fam)

Richard Jones appeared on behalf of the Applicant in securing a transfer of living arrangements of a child to his father in a parental alienation case.

15 October 2019

PQ v RS and others (Legal Parenthood: Written Consent) [2019] EWFC 65

Tom Wilson acted for the children in PQ v RS and others (Legal Parenthood: Written Consent) [2019] EWFC 65, which concerned consent to legal parenthood.

14 August 2019

ZH v HS & Ors (Application to Revoke Adoption Order) [2019] EWHC 2190 (Fam)

Deirdre Fottrell QC appeared on behalf of the applicants and Tom Wilson appeared on behalf of the first and second respondents in this case concerning the revocation of an adoption order.

12 August 2019

Re AB (Foreign Surrogacy Children out of the Jurisdiction) [2019] EWFC 22 (Fam)

Sharon Segal acted pro bono on behalf of the Applicants, and Deirdre Fottrell QC acted on behalf of the children, through the children’s guardian, in this case concerning the circumstances in which the court will make a Parental Order...

27 June 2019

Re Foster carers v A, B & A Welsh Local Authority [2019] EWFC B52 (Fam)

Sam Momtaz QC acted on behalf of foster carers who were seeking to adopt the subject child. Mr Justice Francis gave important guidance on what a Local Authority must do when seeking to obtain the birth parents consent to adoption.

27 June 2019

AB v XY [2019] EWHC 1468 (Fam) (07 June 2019)

Fareha Choudhury (instructed by Gisby Harrison Solicitors) acted for the Appellant.

10 June 2019

Poole Borough Council v GN and another [2019] UKSC 25

Three members of 1GC|Family Law appeared in UK Supreme Court case of Poole Borough Council v GN (through his Litigation Friend ‘the Official Solicitor) & Anor [2019] UKSC 25.

04 April 2019

Re RP (A Child) (Foster Carers Appeal) [2019] EWCA Civ 525

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Tom Wilson appeared on behalf of a child’s non-party foster carer in a successful appeal against the making of a final care order.

27 March 2019

CS v SBH & Ors [2019] EWHC 634 (Fam) (18 March 2019)

Richard Jones appeared on behalf of the child through her Children’s Guardian in this key decision relating to a child’s capacity to instruct a solicitor.

22 March 2019

M v P [2019] EWFC 14

Janet Bazley QC and Katherine Dunseath, assisted by William Vaudry, represented the respondent wife on a plea by the Queen’s Proctor to set aside decrees of divorce, granted under s.1(2)(d) MCA 1973 (2 years’ separation and consent), despite the parties having only been married for 22 months at the time the petition was issued.

19 March 2019

Royal Borough of Greenwich v Adopters [2018] EWFC 87

Gemma Kelly represented the Maternal Aunt in this case before Mrs Justice Theis.

01 March 2019

LR v A Local Authority & Ors (Application to Terminate Appointment of Guardian) [2019] EWFC 49

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Tom Wilson appeared on behalf of a non-party foster carer in a successful application to terminate the appointment of a Children’s Guardian within care proceedings concerning a child placed in her care.

09 August 2018

PA v CK & Ors [2018] EWHC 2004 (Fam)

Francesca Wiley QC and Rachel Gillman appeared on behalf of the Applicant.

09 August 2018

PS v BP [2018] EWHC 1987 (Fam)

Luke Eaton appeared on behalf of the successful appellant Father in a case that provides important informal guidance where the Court is considering preventing cross-examination of an alleged victim of domestic abuse by an alleged perpetrator who acts in person.

24 July 2018

A Local Authority v A, B, C, D and E (Permission to Withdraw: Costs) [2018] EWHC 1841 (Fam)

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Sharon Segal acted on behalf of the mother in this important case concerning the withdrawal of care proceedings and an application for costs where allegations of radicalisation were made.

24 July 2018

Lancashire County Council v A, B and Z [2018] EWHC 1819 (Fam)

Sam Momtaz QC appeared for the father in Lancashire County Council v A, B and Z in which Knowles J’s judgment provides guidance on how to prevent late disclosure of police evidence in care proceedings.

18 July 2018

Mills v Mills [2018] UKSC 38

Mills v Mills [2018] UKSC 38: judgment of Supreme Court was handed down on 18 July 2018 by Lord Wilson. This was the ex...

18 July 2018

Williams v Hackney Council [2018] UKSC 37

Five members of 1GC|Family Law appeared in the UKSC in the case of Williams v Hackney Council. Judgment in the case was handed down by the UKSC today.

27 June 2018

P-S (Children) [2018] EWCA Civ 1407

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Laura Briggs acted for the Appellant, the children’s guardian, and Sam Momtaz QC and Sharon Segal acted on behalf of the Association of Lawyers for Children who were given permission to intervene, in the recent Court of Appeal decision in Re P-S

25 June 2018

AB v CD [2018] EWHC 1590 (Fam)

Richard Jones and Tom Wilson appeared in a child arrangements dispute on behalf of a mother and step-father of children born through an international surrogacy arrangement.

21 June 2018

Re M-Y (Children) [2018] EWCA Civ 1306

Alev Giz appeared in the Court of Appeal for the successful appellant mother where findings of fact were set aside as not being sound for reasons that included the failure to allow a proper challenge to the allegations made by a child witness in the process of her cross-examination.

23 April 2018

A Local Authority v X & Ors [2018] EWHC 874 (Fam)

Sam Momtaz QC appeared in the case of A Local Authority v X & Ors [2018] EWHC 874 (Fam)

12 April 2018

P (A Child) [2018] EWCA Civ 720

Darren Howe QC appeared for the 2nd Appellant mother in P (A Child) in the Court of Appeal...

15 February 2018

Re G (A Child) [2018] EWCA Civ 305

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Luke Eaton acted for the children’s guardian in a case concerning...

15 February 2018

M (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 245

Sam Momtaz QC appeared on behalf of the respondent in M (A Child) in the Court Of Appeal...

26 January 2018

AB v HT & Ors [2018] EWCOP 2 (26 January 2018)

Andrew Bagchi QC, on behalf of M in AB v HT v London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham v M v M

22 January 2018

Y and Z v W and X [2017] EWFC 60

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Eleri Jones appeared for the successful applicant in a new...

17 January 2018

Re B [2018] EWCA Civ 20

Sarah Morgan QC and Olivia Magennis acted for (B's Father) and Deirdre Fottrell QC and Louise MacLynn for (I) and (R).

20 December 2017

Re M (Children) [2017] EWCA Civ 2164

Alison Ball QC appeared on behalf of the appellant father in Re M (Children) [2017] EWCA Civ 2164.

13 December 2017

M (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 2356

Claire Heppenstall appeared on behalf of the Respondent in M (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 2356.

17 November 2017

Re H (A Child: Surrogacy Breakdown) [2017] EWCA Civ 1798

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Thomas Wilson appeared in Re H (A Child: Surrogacy Breakdown), a decision of the Court of Appeal in relation to the arrangements for a child following the breakdown of a surrogacy arrangement.

09 November 2017

N v J (Power to Set Aside Return Order) [2017] EWHC 2752 (Fam)

Alev Giz appeared on behalf of the children in the case of N v J (Power to Set Aside Return...

27 October 2017

London Borough of Brent v NB [2017] EWCOP 34

Andrew Bagchi QC acted for the Fourth Respondent by his Litigation Friend the Official Solicitor.

06 October 2017

The London Borough of Wandsworth v M, A, C, J [2017] EWHC 2435 (Fam)

Julien Foster, Rachel Gillman and Lucy Sprinz, appeared in the case of The London Borough of Wandsworth v M, A, C, J [2017] EWHC 2435 (Fam) before Hayden J in which judgment was handed down on Friday 6 October.

03 August 2017

Re HK (No 1) [2017] EWHC 1710 (Fam)

Alev Giz represented the father in the serious medical treatment case of Re HK (No 1) [2017] EWHC 1710 (Fam).

13 July 2017

Re R (Closed Material Procedure: Special Advocates: Funding) [2017] EWHC 1793 (Fam)

Five members of chambers acted in this important decision as to funding for Special Advocates within Family Proceedings as part of a Closed Material Procedure.

10 July 2017

W (A Child: No 4) [2017] EWHC 1760 (Fam)

Andrew Bagchi QC acted for the Local Authority (Brighton and Hove City Council).

25 May 2017

Re J [2017] EWCA Civ 398

Seven members of chambers acted in this significant Court of Appeal decision as to the procedure to be adopted at an IRH within public law proceedings, and the important role of tandem model.

12 April 2017

Re W (A Child) EWHC 829 (Fam)

Complex and extensive proceedings heard by the President in respect of a contested adoption.

12 April 2017

Kirk v Devon County Council & Anor [2017] EWCA Civ 260

Andrew Bagchi QC acted on behalf of Devon County Council.

31 March 2017

Re C (A Child) (Care Proceedings: Disclosure) [2016] EWHC 3171 (Fam); [2017] 4 WLR 19; [2017] 1 FLR 1665

Sarah Morgan QC and Steven Ashworth acted for the local authority in care proceedings involving allegations of radicalisation, including allegations that the father had travelled to Syria and fought alongside an Islamist terrorist group.

15 March 2017

Re C (A Child) (No.2) (Application for Public Interest Immunity) [2017] EWHC 692 (Fam); [2017] 2 FLR 1342; [2017] 2 FCR 621

Sarah Morgan QC and Steven Ashworth acted again for the Local Authority in this care case involving allegations of radicalisation.

08 March 2017

SW & TW (Children: Human Rights Claim: Procedure) (Rev 1) [2017] EWHC 450 (Fam)

Andrew Bagchi QC and Sylvester McIlwain acted for the Father (PW).

27 February 2017

W - C (Children) [2017] EWCA Civ 250

Laura Briggs appeared on behalf of the Applicant in W - C (Children) [2017] EWCA Civ 250

23 January 2017

In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case K) [2017] EWHC 50 (Fam)

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Thomas Wilson appeared on behalf of the applicant. This was another case in which the President...

17 January 2017

J (A Child) (Finland) (Habitual Residence) [2017] EWCA Civ 80

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Marlene Cayoun appeared on behalf of the Respondent in J (A Child) (Finland)(Habitual Residence) [2017] EWCA Civ 80.

01 January 2017

Re R (A Child: Care Order) [2017] EWHC 364 (Fam)

Sarah Morgan QC and Daisy Hughes acted for the first Respondent and Denise Gilling for the 2nd Respondent in Re R (A Child: Care Order) [2017] EWHC 364 (Fam).

16 December 2016

Re S (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 44

Sarah Morgan QC and Marlene Cayoun appeared on behalf of the Respondent in Re S (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 44.

30 November 2016

Re N (A Child) [2016] EWHC 3085 (Fam)

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Gemma Kelly represented the child in an application before the President for recognition of her adoption...

17 November 2016

Re W (A Child) 2016 EWCA Civ 1140

Charles Geekie QC and Gemma Kelly successfully appealed on behalf of a local authority in the Court of Appeal in...

02 November 2016

In the Matter of X (A Child) (No 3) [2016] EWHC 2755 (Fam)

Five members of Chambers were involved in this case: Sarah Morgan QC and Sharon Segal (instructed by the Local...

25 October 2016

Re AB (Surrogacy Consent) [2016] EWHC 2643 (Fam)

Deirdre Fottrell QC acted for the children in the case of AB in which the surrogate mother refused to give...

10 October 2016

QS v RS and Another [2016] EWHC 2470 (Fam)

Andrew Bagchi QC represented a father of a child who had been the subject of an adoption order in Nepal...

06 October 2016

X, Y and Z (Disclosure to the Security Service) [2016] EWHC 2400 (Fam)

A radicalisation case and the issue was whether there should be disclosure of information from family proceedings to the Security...

30 September 2016

In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case V) [2016] EWHC 2356 (Fam)

Deirdre Fottrell QC appeared on behalf of the applicant in the case of In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation...

12 September 2016

In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case L) [2016] EWHC 2266 (Fam)

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Tom Wilson appeared on behalf of the applicant, Sarah Morgan QC and Lucy Sprinz acted on...

30 June 2016

Z (Surrogacy Agreements: Child Arrangment Orders) [2016] EWFC 34

This was a landmark surrogacy case where Ms Justice Russell granted the surrogate mother the the care of the...

08 June 2016

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust v SS [2016] EWHC 535 (Fam)

Declaration of lawfulness of refusal of life-sustaining treatment for child aged 7 with life-limiting illness.

26 May 2016

Local Authority X v HI & Ors [2016] EWHC 1123 (Fam)

Application by a Guardian for an order restraining a local authority from disclosing to the parents of a child in...

06 April 2016

In the Matter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Case G) [2016] EWHC 729 (Fam)

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Lucy Sprinz appeared on behalf of the applicant parent and Janet Bazley QC and Sharon Segal...

25 February 2016

DB v DLJ [2016] EWHC 324 (Fam)

Jeni Kavanagh acted as junior counsel in this significant case which considers the link between the Family Law Arbitration Scheme...

14 January 2016

D (A Child) (No 3) [2016] EWFC 1

Important Guidance for cases Involving Learning Disabled Parents Deirdre Fottrell QC, Sarah Morgan QC and Lucy Sprinz again appeared...

18 November 2015

Sharon Minkin v Lesley Landsberg (Practising as Barnet Family Law) [2015] EWCA Civ 1152

Simon Sugar appeared in the Court of Appeal in a professional negligence claim which explored the extent of the duty...

26 October 2015

Re A and B (Contact) (No 4) [2015] EWHC 2839 (Fam)

Daisy Hughes again represented the local authority in the matter of Re A and B (Contact) (No 4) [2015] EWHC 2839 (Fam), it...

24 September 2015

Re T (Early Permanence Placement) [2015] EWCA Civ 983

Deirdre Fottrell QC represented the guardian in the case of Re T (Early Permanence Placement). The President gave ...

17 September 2015

Re S & T (Children) [2015] EWHC 1753

Janet Bazley QC, leading Mark Jarman of 4 Paper Buildings and instructed by Freemans, Solicitors, has obtained a significant judgment from...

11 September 2015

A and Others v HFEA [2015] EWHC 2602 (Fam)

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Lucy Sprinz appeared on behalf of five applicant families in the case of A and Others...

18 August 2015

Re F (A Child) (International Relocation Cases) [2015] EWCA Civ 882

Alev Giz appeared as junior counsel for the successful Appellant Father in the landmark case of re F (A Child) ...

05 August 2015

X (Children) and Y (Children) [2015] EWHC 2265 (Fam)

Jane Crowley QC represented local authority B in the important and topical 'tagging' case, in which the judgement of Sir...

04 August 2015

L and B (Children: Care Proceedings) [2015] EWFC 66

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Marlene Cayoun represented the Local Authority in the case of L and B (Children: Care Proceedings) [2015]...

03 August 2015

Derbyshire County Council v SH [2015] EWFC B102

Notable case in which the Judge criticised the language used in the social worker's report, which was widely...

29 July 2015

Re L (Application to Withdraw) (Head Injuries: Unknown Cause) [2015] EWFC 67

Case heard in front of the circuit judge which resulted in Jane Crowley QC demolishing the Local Authority case...

22 June 2015

Re K and H (Children) [2015] EWCA Civ 543

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Marlene Cayoun acted on behalf of the Coram Children’s Legal Centre and the Association...

10 June 2015

Kaur v Randhawa [2015] EWHC 1592

Marlene Cayoun represented the Wife in the case of Kaur v Randhawa [2015] EWHC 1592 in which Mr Justice Mostyn found that...

10 June 2015

A v B [2015] EWHC 1562

Deirdre Fottrell QC, Andrew Norton QC and Marlene Cayoun acted in the Hague Convention case of A v B [2015] EWHC 1562...

22 May 2015

AR (Children) (Scotland) [2015] UKSC 35

Deirdre Fottrell QC, Daisy Hughes and Eleri Jones acted for Children and Familes Across Borders (CFAB) in the Supreme Court...

06 May 2015

H v S (Surrogacy Agreement) [2015] EWFC 36

Alev Giz appeared for the mother and Alison Moore for the child in this critical case, in which judgment has...

22 April 2015

ABC v PM & Another [2015] EWFC 32

In a ground breaking decision Mr Justice Moor has upheld an order made in the Central Family Court setting aside...

24 March 2015

Re J (A Child) EWCA Civ 222

Deirdre Fottrell QC and Daisy Hughes successful at the Court of Appeal in the case of Re J (a child)...

Y v Z [2022] EWFC 157

Deirdre Fottrell KC and Melissa Elsworth appeared in this case where they successfully argued that the Court should make a Declaration of Parentage, for the first time, in circumstances where the intended parents had not signed Forms WP and PP, and neither had they signed any kind of internal consent form which contained explicit parenthood provisions.

Re Orphans From Syria [2019] EWHC 3202 (Fam)

Laura Briggs represented the family of British children who were orphaned and had been located in Syria. The children have subsequently been returned to the UK.