Judge orders child to see mum accused of sex abuse – BBC News

‘A judge in Liverpool ordered social services to arrange face-to-face contact between a “scared” toddler and a mother charged with sexually abusing her, a court has heard.’

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BBC News, 24th May 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Children detained under little-known orders are speaking out after turning 18 – BBC News

‘At the age of 14, Katy Baxter was detained alone under a court order, far from her Bournemouth home, supervised by two workers 24 hours a day, going for long periods without any contact with her family.’

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BBC News, 22nd May 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Court of Appeal issues ruling on evidential value and reliability of hair strand drug testing – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 22nd, 2024 in appeals, care orders, children, families, local government, news by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal against a judge’s decision to authorise the removal of three children from the care of their maternal grandmother and uncle, which was largely based upon three sets of hair strand testing reports.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 21st May 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Infected blood scandal: who will get compensation, and how much will they get? – The Guardian

‘Victims of the infected blood scandal – seen as one of the worst treatment disasters in the history of the NHS – have raised concerns about the government’s pledged compensation scheme.’

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The Guardian, 21st May 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Lay evidence in fact-finding hearings – Local Government lawyer

‘A recent decision by the Court of Appeal serves as a reminder of the importance in fact-finding hearings of the evidence of lay parties being considered alongside that given by medical experts, writes Matthew Fiddy.’

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Local Government lawyer, 17th May 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Speech by the President of the Family Division: Adapting Adoption to the Modern World, Part Two – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted May 20th, 2024 in adoption, children, families, family courts, judges, mental health, news, speeches by sally

‘Adapting Adoption to the Modern World: Part Two, Friday 17 May 2024 President of the Family Division The Right Honourable Sir Andrew McFarlane.’

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Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 17th May 2024

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Kent NHS trust made failures in care of six-year-old girl, inquest finds – The Guardian

‘An inquest into the death of a six-year-old girl has concluded an NHS hospital trust made a number of failures in her care before she died.’

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The Guardian, 16th May 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Family President issues guidance on urgent and out of hours applications to High Court Family Division – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 17th, 2024 in families, family courts, judges, news by sally

‘The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, has issued practice guidance on urgent applications, out of hours applications and bundles in the Family Division of the High Court.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 16th May 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Article by Matthew Smith : The New Family Procedure Rules: Costs sanctions for failing to engage in NCDR – Park Square Barristers

Posted May 15th, 2024 in chambers articles, costs, dispute resolution, families, family courts, news by sally

‘In the recent High Court decision of X v Y [2024] EWHC 538 (Fam), Mrs Justice Knowles gave a strong forewarning over the forthcoming changes to the FPR and how the same are likely to be interpreted in financial remedies hearings and in cases concerning children.’

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Park Square Barristers, 3rd April 2024

Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk

What does it mean to be an expert in the person? The Court of Protection decides – Mental Capacity Law and Policy

‘In University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v HER & Anor [2024] EWCOP 25, Senior Judge Hilder had to consider what (if any) weight to place on the opinion of P’s sister as to her condition and treatment. P, identified in the judgment as HER, was 53 years old, and living in a supported living placement. In her early childhood HER had a stroke-like episode, which had a lasting effect on a large part of her brain. She was described as also having learning difficulties and epilepsy. She had also been diagnosed as having a metabolic disorder, OTC, giving rise to intermittent episodes of acute encephalopathy. HER was experiencing epileptic seizures a few times a month, without warning, and giving rise to risk of sudden unexpected death.’

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Mental Capacity Law and Policy, 14th May 2024

Source: www.mentalcapacitylawandpolicy.org.uk

Homelessness and human rights – Law Society’s Gazette

‘What is the correct approach to determining the suitability of accommodation when the applicant’s circumstances engage rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)? This is an issue of general public importance affecting local authorities discharging homelessness duties under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996. Who says? Andrews LJ, when she directed that an appeal from Mr Rabah Ghaoui should proceed to a hearing.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 14th May 2024

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

A seismic change in ethos and practice – Family Law

Posted May 13th, 2024 in dispute resolution, families, family courts, news by sally

‘Caroline Bowden, a member of the Private Family Law Early Resolution Working Group which first examined what changes were needed, looks at the effect of the revised rules on everyone working in family law, both in and out of court.’

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Family Law, 10th May 2024

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Juror who researched law on child neglect gets suspended sentence – Law Society’s Gazette

‘A juror who researched the law on child neglect to hold her own amid “personality clashes” in the jury room has been spared prison.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 10th May 2024

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

‘We’re not allowed to bring our baby from Ukraine’: Refugees refused after sudden UK rule change – The Independent

‘A Ukrainian refugee couple who fled to the UK have been refused permission for their two-year-old daughter to join them after the government suddenly changed its sponsorship rules, The Independent can reveal.’

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The Independent, 12th May 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Child refugees using people smugglers to reach family in UK, report warns – The Guardian

‘Child refugees are using people smugglers to cross the Channel in small boats to reunite with parents and other close relatives because delays in government family reunion processes are leaving them stranded in danger, according to a report.’

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The Guardian, 13th May 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Diverse minds, Diverse decisions: How is neurodiversity considered in the Family Justice System? – Kingsley Napley Family Law Blog

Posted May 9th, 2024 in autism, children, families, family courts, news by sally

‘Amidst the growing awareness and understanding of neurodiversity in the UK, there has been a notable surge in adults and children being diagnosed with conditions like autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in particular. It is estimated that around 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent. This cultural shift has left parents and families navigating the family justice system increasingly curious about how their, their spouse or their child’s neurodiversity will factor into the court’s decision-making process. This blog will address if and how the family justice system accounts for a parent or child’s neurodiversity in children proceedings and financial remedy proceedings.’

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Kingsley Napley Family Law Blog, 8th May 2024

Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk

Honour based abuse: perspectives and challenges – Local Government Lawyer

‘Imran Khodabocus looks at some of the common misconceptions that surround honour based abuse and discusses why a legal definition is long overdue.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 3rd May 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Court of Appeal finds judge fell into errors of principle when making finding of ‘inflicted injuries’ – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 7th, 2024 in care orders, child abuse, evidence, families, judges, mistake, news by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal against a judge’s findings that fractures to both the tibias of a 10 month old girl had been inflicted either deliberately or recklessly by either her mother or father.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 2nd May 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Research Briefing: An overview of child protection legislation in England – House of Commons Library

Posted May 7th, 2024 in children, families, news, parental responsibility, social services by sally

‘A broad overview of the legislative framework for child protection and child safeguarding in England.’

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House of Commons Library , 3rd May 2024

Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk

Family Law Newsletter – Spire Barristers

Posted May 3rd, 2024 in chambers articles, children, families, family courts, news by sally

‘Family Law Newsletter – April 2024; Articles, news, legislation updates and case updates from Care Proceedings, Private Law and Financial Remedy matters.’

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Spire Barristers, 22nd April 2024

Source: www.spirebarristers.co.uk