News Essentials: 9th January 2021

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

NEWS

Brain-damaged Pippa Knight 'should be allowed to die', judge rules
A girl with brain damage who is in a vegetative state should be allowed to die, a High Court judge has ruled. Full story: BBC News. See law report, below.

Message from the President of the Family Division: The Road Ahead 2021
The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, invites you all to follow the link below to access the updated document: The Family Court and COVID-19 - the Road Ahead 2021. Full story: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.

Domestic abuse victims wrongly charged over £150 from GPs for letters confirming injuries
Domestic abuse victims are being wrongly charged over £150 by GPs for letters proving their injuries which are often required to access legal aid or other crucial services. Full story: The Independent.

Central Family Court - lockdown update
Resolution has received the following update from HHJ Roberts regarding the operation of the Central Family Court during lockdown. Full story: Resolution.

Cafcass publishes updated organisational guidance on working with children through Covid-19
Cafcass has published updated guidance which outlines the arrangements that are currently being made for Family Court Advisers to see children and families, work in Cafcass offices and attend court. Full story: Cafcass.

Quarter of women waive pension rights in divorce
With today marking this year’s ‘divorce day’, Legal and General has warned that women are significantly more likely to waive rights to a partner’s pension as part of a divorce than men. Full story: FT Adviser.

Family law disputes involving the EU: guidance for legal professionals
Guidance for legal professionals about family law disputes involving the EU. Full story: Ministry of Justice.

Divorced mother who refused to leave her husband’s home after they split locked in legal battle after he told her she must pay £600,000 rent
A divorcee who refused to leave her banker ex-husband's £6m home after they split is locked in a Court of Appeal 'test case' over his insistence she must pay him rent. Full story: Daily Mail.

Court of Appeal rule judge must reconsider plan to remove autistic teenager from care of father
A man has won the latest round of a court fight over the care of his autistic son. Full story: Care Appointments.

CASES

Guy's and St Thomas' Children's NHS Foundation Trust & Anor v Knight & Anor [2021] EWHC 25 (Fam) (08 January 2021)
Judgment declaring it is lawful and in her best interests to withdraw life support from a brain damaged 5 year-old child. Full report: Bailii.

AW v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Child Support: Regular Deduction Order Appeal) [2021] EWFC B1 (04 January 2021)
Child support. Appeal by father against regular deduction order, made in relation to historic child support arrears. Appeal allowed. Full report: Bailii.

X (A Child) [2020] EWHC 1630 (Fam) (03 June 2020)
Application by NHS Trust for order permitting blood transfusion for 15 year old child, where neither child nor mother gave consent, being Jehovah's Witnesses. Full report: Bailii.

R (no order for contact after findings of domestic abuse) [2020] EWFC B57 (03 December 2020)
Application by father for contact and parental responsibility orders. No direct contact ordered, and no parental responsibility order made, following findings of domestic abuse by the father. Full report: Bailii.

E (BIIa: Recognition And Enforcement) [2020] EWCA Civ 1030 (04 August 2020)
Appeal concerning the extent of the obligation upon the court in England and Wales to enforce a foreign order in relation to children. Full report: Bailii.

LP v AE [2020] EWHC 1668 (Fam) (29 June 2020)
Appeal by mother from refusal of application for LSPO. Appeal allowed. Full report: Bailii.

Crowther v Crowther & Ors [2020] EWHC 3555 (Fam) (22 December 2020)
Application by H for costs in relation to preliminary issue in financial remedy proceedings. Full report: Bailii.

E (A Child), Re [2020] EWFC 73 (19 November 2020)
Threshold hearing in care proceedings concerning girl whose mother was alleged to have given medical professionals an exaggerated or wrong account of her health. Full report: Bailii.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust v MK (Medical Treatment) [2020] EWHC 3476 (Fam) (16 December 2020)
Application for authorisation of medical treatment for 7 year old child living with grandmother. Child arrangements order made in favour of grandmother, so as to confer parental responsibility on her and obviate the need for further applications. Full report: Bailii.

AEY v AL [2020] EWHC 3539 (Fam) (21 December 2020)
Judgment considering whether ECRO preventing father making any applications in relation to his children without permission should be extended. Full report: Bailii.

Z (Interim Care Order) [2020] EWCA Civ 1755 (18 December 2020)
Appeal by father against interim care order providing that child should be removed from his father's home and placed with foster carers as a bridging placement, with a view to placing him in due course in the care of his mother. Appeal allowed. Full report: Bailii.

Bedford Borough Council v CD & Ors [2020] EWHC 1996 (Fam) (23 June 2020)
Care proceedings concerning child born in 2006, whose younger half-sister was murdered by her father. Judgment in respect of placement. Full report: Bailii.

Bedford Borough Council v CD & Ors [2020] EWHC 3298 (Fam) (03 December 2020)
Final hearing in care proceedings concerning child born in 2006, whose younger half-sister was murdered by her father. Includes serious criticism of LA re: non-disclosure. Full report: Bailii.