News Essentials : 14th March 2020

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

E (Child Abduction: Child's Objections) [2020] EWHC 491 (Fam) (15 January 2020)
Application by father for summary return of child to Spain. Application dismissed, on basis of child's objections. Full report: Bailii.

Court of Appeal to live-stream family cases
Family hearings at the Court of Appeal will be live-streamed under a joint initiative by the judiciary and government to boost transparency in the justice system. Full story: Ministry of Justice and HM Courts & Tribunals Service.

The Child Abduction and Custody (Parties to Conventions) (Amendment) Order 2020
Adds the Dominican Republic to the list of Contracting States. Statutory Instrument.

K (A Child), Re [2020] EWHC 488 (Fam) (28 February 2020)
Child arrangements proceedings concerning 4 year old child whose mother wished him to remain with her in England, and whose father wished him to live with him in India. Full report: Bailii.

T (Parental Alienation), Re [2019] EWHC 3854 (Fam) (18 December 2019)
Judgment in child arrangements proceedings transferring residence of child from mother to father, following finding that mother had alienated child from father. Full report: Bailii.

Consumer guru backs litigant in person helpline
Consumer champion Martin Lewis has donated nearly £60,000 to support a new helpline for litigants in person in the family and civil courts. Full story: Litigation Futures.

FF v BM [2020] EWFC B6 (06 March 2020)
Appeal by father against order for indirect contact only. Appeal allowed. Full report: Bailii.

New figures reveal increase in domestic abuse reporting by minority community victims
The number of domestic abuse victims from minority communities including disabled people is increasing, new figures suggest, but charities and families say more work is needed to help sufferers come forward. Full story: Care Appointments.

T v T (Application for financial relief after an overseas divorce) [2020] EWHC 555 (Fam) (11 February 2020)
Final hearing of former wife's application under Part III MWPA 1984, following Russian divorce. Full report: Bailii.

S and T (Children : care orders) [2019] EWHC 3851 (Fam) (17 December 2019)
Applications for care orders in relation to two young boys, S and T. S was born in 2018, so he is soon turning 2. T was born early in 2019. Full report: Bailii.

High Court to rule on access to full adoption file
The High Court has been asked to make an unprecedented order to allow a journalist to see all court papers in a flawed adoption case. Full story: Law Society Gazette.

Court approval needed to start CoP litigation, says judge
Deputies acting for incapacitated clients should seek permission from the court if they want to start litigation on their behalf, a judge has indicated. Full story: Law Society Gazette.

Domestic abuser police officers 'protected', campaigners claim
Some police officers accused of domestic abuse are being protected from facing justice, campaigners claim. Full story: BBC News.