News Essentials: 12th June 2021

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

NEWS

McFarlane begins work on Covid-19 recovery phase for family courts
The president of the family division is conducting the third consultation since remote hearings were introduced at the start of the pandemic to see how the family courts should operate as Covid restrictions begin to ease. Full story: Law Society Gazette.

Select Committee opens inquiry into VAWG with evidence from Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Refuge and Centre for Women’s Justice
The Commons Home Affairs Committee has held the opening session of its inquiry into violence against women and girls with a session taking evidence from experts working to inform Government at all levels, and domestic abuse charities. Full story: Family Law Week.

Alarm over growing numbers of children in care in Wales
Wales now has the highest proportion of children in the UK being cared for by the state, prompting one expert to raise concerns. Full story: BBC News.

Ofsted praises quality of social work practice at Cafcass despite record caseloads during pandemic
Inspectors find quality of practice has been sustained in public and private law despite high demand and significant family court backlogs caused by Covid. Full story: Community Care.

Government commits to 6th April for introduction of Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act
Ministers have today announced that the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, which will allow married couples to divorce without assigning blame, will come into force on 6th April 2022. Full story: Resolution.

Five members appointed to Family Procedure Rule Committee and one member reappointed
The Lord Chancellor has announced the appointment of 5 new members to the Family Procedure Rule Committee and the reappointment of one member. Full story: Ministry of Justice.

Eight in 10 councils forced to overspend on children’s social care budgets
More than eight in 10 councils in England responsible for children's social care overspent in the year to 2019/20. Full story: Family Law Week.

CASES

K v T (Habitual Residence) [2021] EWHC 1525 (Fam) (11 June 2021)
Application by father for summary return of child to Austria. Application dismissed after finding that children habitually resident here at date of retention. Full report: Bailii.

Greater Manchester Police v Zuniga & Ors [2021] EWHC 1572 (Fam) (10 June 2021)
Application by Greater Manchester Police ("GMP") for orders in respect of materials currently held by GMP relating to data manipulation at a forensic laboratory. Full report: Bailii.

Wiltshire Council v M & Anor (gonorhheal infection in a child) [2021] EWFC B32 (04 June 2021)
Care proceedings, in which the headline issue was the possible sexual abuse of one of the children. Application by LA to withdraw, following fact-finding. Full report: Bailii.

Wiltshire Council v M & Anor (gonorhheal infection in a child) [2021] EWFC B31 (06 May 2021)
Fact-finding in care proceedings, in which the headline issue was the possible sexual abuse of one of the children. Full report: Bailii.

A (Domestic abuse: incorrect principles applied) [2021] EWFC B30 (08 June 2021)
Appeal by mother against dismissal of abuse allegations in contact dispute. Appeal allowed. Full report: Bailii. See also this post.

AB (Childhood Vaccination) [2021] EWHC 1581 (Fam) (30 April 2021)
Care proceedings. Application by LA concerning what vaccinations child should have. Full report: Bailii.

CL (Fact Finding : Coercive Control) [2020] EWFC 109 (06 November 2020)
Care proceedings. Fact-finding hearing concerning allegations of abuse against father. Full report: Bailii.

A v A (Return Without Taking Parent) [2021] EWHC 1439 (Fam) (18 May 2021)
Application by father for summary return of child to the Republic of Ireland. Mother not prepared to return with child, due to alleged conduct of father. Return ordered. Full report: Bailii.