Collecting information, resources and support for everyone involved in the child protection system in the UK
TLDR: This is the text of a presentation I made at the St Johns Chambers conference on May 13 2026. I attempt to set out the mandatory framework for the approach to vulnerable witnesses/parties. My over-arching concern is that, yet again, family practitioners will be expected to fill the gaps in the system by offering [ ] The post Vulnerable parties in family court proceedings first appeared on…
My near 30 years in practice have shown me that without a doubt, there are parents of both sexes who do or say things that have a negative impact on their children and which turn them away from a parent they either previously loved or at least tolerated. Sometimes that behaviour is calculated and malicious, [ ] The post Parental Alienation: The Modern Way first appeared on Child Protection…
The rise and fall of adoption In 1968 there were 25,000 adoptions, reflecting a society where illegitimacy was still stigmatised and there were many babies available with mothers who offered reluctant consent, having no other way of providing for their children. The rates plummeted due to increased access to contraception, legalised abortion and a sea [ ] The post The death of adoption first…
On 3rd June 2025 the High Court handed down judgment in the case of N v N (Expert Evidence on Gender Affirming Treatment) [2025] EWHC 1325 (Fam) This case involved a child B who was 17 in May 2025. The court refers to the child as ‘she’ but it is clear that B is male so I [ ] The post Gender Affirming treatment for a child – the role of the court to determine disputes first appeared on Child…
The forward movement of the family justice system towards embracing greater transparency continues. As of 27th January 2025 new open reporting provisions apply in all family courts in England and Wales, allowing accredited journalists and legal bloggers to report on what they see and hear whilst attending any family court if a transparency order is [ ] The post Naming a parent in private law…
Commentary The decision of Strum J on 9th April 2025 is a very welcome indication that the Australian Family Court is moving away from the notion that medical transition of children should be seen as automatically therapeutic treatment , in a meticulous and lengthy judgment which unpicks the mother s case and her expert witnesses with care. [ ] The post Good news from Down Under re medical…
On 19th December 2024, the Court of Appeal agreed in the case of O v P and Q that it was wrong to dismiss proceedings about a child wanting cross sex hormones in the face of parental opposition, once that child was 16. Proceedings would be adjourned to consider the result of a further assessment with [ ] The post Court of Appeal confirms it can override the capacity of a 16 year old who wishes to…
I was recently contacted by the journalist Beatrix Campbell with a link to an address by the President of the Family Division Sir Andrew McFarlane to the British Society of Paediatric Radiologists. He said this about the Cleveland Inquiry, which has loomed large over family lawyers for the last 30 years. Speech by the PFD: [ ] The post The Cleveland Scandal Revisited first appeared on Child…
As evidence of just how ubiquitous the issue of child medical transition has become, we had the benefit of two reported cases very shortly after the publication of the Cass Review final report in April 2024. These were Re J (Transgender: Puberty Blocker and Hormone Replacement Therapy) [2024] EWHC 922 (Fam) and O v P [ ] The post Consent to medical transition at 16 – where are we now? first…
Where are we now? General principles for all finding of fact hearings Particular issues in cases of domestic abuse The approach of the court How are allegations to be presented to and considered by the court? Presentation of the evidence Weighing the evidence Reliance on criminal law concepts After the hearing The court must produce [ ] The post Findings of Fact in Domestic Abuse Cases first…