News Essentials: 2nd September 2023


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

NEWS

One-hour oral judgment in family case ‘plainly irregular’
A one-hour oral judgment delivered on a complex family case was ‘manifestly insufficient’ and should be re-examined, the Court of Appeal has ruled. Full story: Law Society Gazette.

Domestic abusers tagged on release and blocked from harassing victims from prison

Hundreds of victims of domestic abuse will be better protected as perpetrators who still pose a risk once they are released from prison will be made to wear electronic monitoring tags. Full story: Ministry of Justice.

Court of Appeal sets aside circuit judge’s “plainly irregular” ruling
The Court of Appeal has set aside a circuit judge’s ruling in public law children proceedings after describing his decision as “plainly irregular”. Full story: Legal Futures.

Two new members appointed to the Board of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has approved the appointments of Dalwardin Babu OBE and Steven Cox as members of the Cafcass Board for 4 years from 1 September 2023. Full story: Ministry of Justice.

CASES

The Local Authority v F & Anor [2023] EWFC 142 (2 June 2023)
Final hearing of application for care and placement orders in relation to four children. Full report: National Archives.

Re A Child (Care and Placement) [2023] EWFC 146 (30 August 2023)
Final hearing of application for care and placement orders in relation to one year-old child. Full report: National Archives.

Re M & Anor (Children) (Permanent Relocation) [2023] EWFC 145 (24 July 2023)
Application by mother for permission to relocate with children to another country. Permission granted. Full report: National Archives.

T (Children), Re [2023] EWCA Civ 1004 (30 August 2023)
Care proceedings. Appeal by LA from directions for the children's return to the father. Appeal allowed. Full report: Bailii.

SA, Re (Declaration of Non-Recognition of Marriage) [2023] EWCA Civ 1003 (30 August 2023)
Appeal from declaration that a forced marriage in Bangladesh involving a woman who lacked capacity was not recognised as valid in England and Wales. Appeal dismissed. Full report: Bailii.

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