News Essentials: 23rd September 2023

A brief summary of the essential family law news and cases from the last week: 

NEWS

Children’s services ‘skewed towards late intervention’, study finds
Local government spending on children’s services increased by £800m in 2021-22, an 8% rise on the previous year, according to a report by Pro Bono Economics. Full story: Local Government Chronicle.

Honour-based abuse: Government rejects calls for legal definition
The government has rejected calls for a legal definition of honour-based abuse. Full story: BBC News.

CA allows funder to challenge financial remedy consent order
A litigation funder owed up to £1m by the wife in a “bitter and extortionately expensive” divorce battle can remain a party to financial remedy proceedings, the Court of Appeal has ruled. Full story: Legal Futures.

Taskforce ‘needed in nightmare disputes’ over care of critically ill children
Guidance should be produced to ensure parents’ views are taken into account and families should be given appropriate notice of court action in cases where they disagree with medical professionals caring for critically ill children, a review has recommended. Full story: Care Appointments.

CASES

G v H (Hague Convention: Wrongful Removal) [2023] EWHC 2351 (Fam)
Application by father for summary return of child to Portugal, where Portuguese court had made interim order that child live with her. Application stayed. Full report: National Archives.

Cazalet v Abu-Zalaf [2023] EWCA Civ 1065 (22 September 2023)
Appeal by wife from dismissal of her application to rescind decree nisi on the basis of reconciliation. Appeal allowed, decree rescinded and petition dismissed. Full report: Bailii.

Wokingham Borough Council v Mother & Ors [2023] EWFC 156 (9 June 2023)
Care proceedings concerning 5 children. Application by mother to discharge one of fathers from proceedings. Application granted. Full report: National Archives.

Ditchfield v Ditchfield (Appeal) [2023] EWHC 2303 (Fam) (20 September 2023)
Appeal by husband from financial remedies order that divided the assets 68% to the wife and 32% to the husband. Appeal dismissed. Full report: National Archives.

B v A Local Authority & Ors [2023] EWFC 154 (21 August 2023)
Care proceedings. Appeal by Children's Guardian against refusal of their application for ISW assessment of the grandparents. Appeal dismissed. Full report: Bailii.

AM v AF (private law final hearing) [2023] EWFC 153 (30 August 2023)
Final hearing of child arrangements proceedings, deciding issue of where the children should live, the parents living some way apart. Full report: National Archives.

A Local Authority v Mother & Ors [2023] EWFC 152 (12 May 2023)
Final hearing of care and placement proceedings, issued following concerns about, inter alia, mother's poor mental health. Full report: National Archives.

Paul Mark Simon v Lauren Belinda Simon & Anor [2023] EWCA Civ 1048 (15 September 2023)
Appeal by husband against case management orders made following setting aside of consent order after application by litigation lender. Appeal allowed in part, but lender allowed to remain a party. Full report: National Archives.