News Essentials: 11th April 2020

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

NEWS

Barrister breached court order to see ex-girlfriend
An experienced barrister has been suspended for three months and fined £1,000 for twice breaching a non-molestation order to see his ex-girlfriend. Full story: Legal Futures.

Domestic abuse victims need unconditional legal aid - Law Society
The Law Society has called on the government to provide more help and support to domestic abuse victims, following reports of a surge in incidents during lockdown. Full story: Law Society Gazette.

UK lawyers inundated by divorced parents arguing over lockdown custody
Former couples disagree about where their children should stay, with some trying to get their ex sent to jail. Full story: The Guardian.

Coronavirus: Domestic abuse calls up 25% since lockdown, charity says
The National Domestic Abuse helpline has seen a 25% increase in calls and online requests for help since the lockdown, the charity Refuge says. Full story: BBC News.

Victims’ Commissioner publishes new report on domestic abuse
Report explores overlap between children’s experience of domestic abuse and their offending behaviour. Full story: Family Law Week.

CASES

S (Children) [2020] EWCA Civ 515 (09 April 2020)
Appeal by mother against dismissal of application for the summary return of the children from Libya, on grounds that English court had no jurisdiction. Appeal dismissed. Full report: Bailii.

C-D (A Child), Re [2020] EWCA Civ 501 (08 April 2020)
Appeal by mother against care order and s.91(14) order. Appeal dismissed. Full report: Bailii.

PT (A Child), Re [2020] EWHC 834 (Fam) (31 March 2020)
Application by father for summary return of child to Spain. Return ordered. Includes consideration of  risk of physical harm presented by coronavirus pandemic. Full report: Bailii. See also my note, here.

DN v UD (Sch 1 Children Act: Capital Provision) [2020] EWHC 627 (Fam) (29 January 2020)
Final hearing in an application brought under s.15 and Sch 1 to the Children Act 1989. Full report: Bailii.

VB v TR [2020] EWHC 877 (Fam) (07 April 2020)
Application by father for summary return of child to Bermuda. Return ordered, despite unavailability of Hague Convention, due to a 'colonial anachronism'. Full report: Bailii.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets v Mother & Ors [2020] EWHC 832 (Fam) (07 April 2020)
Application by local authority for injunction preventing respondents from disseminating information about prospective adopters, and to prevent the First and Second Respondents (the Mother and the Father) from approaching those adopters. Full report: Bailii.

T (Children), Re [2020] EWCA Civ 507 (07 April 2020)
Appeal by father against sexual abuse findings made in care proceedings. Appeal allowed, and findings set aside. Full report: Bailii.

Prospective Adopters v the London Borough of Tower Hamlets [2020] EWFC 26 (03 April 2020)
Application by parents for leave to oppose adoption of child following placement order. Application refused. Full report: Bailii.