News Essentials: 14th August 2021

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

NEWS

New public law cases received by Cafcass fell by 14 per cent in July
Cafcass received 1,481 new public law cases in July 2021 featuring 2,331 children; this represents a decrease of 14.3 per cent on the 1,729 new public law cases received in July 2020. Full story: Family Law Week.

New private law cases received by Cafcass in July fell by over 16 per cent
Cafcass received a total of 3,774 new private law cases in July 2021 which is 740 cases (16.4 per cent) fewer than the same period in 2020. Full story: Family Law Week.

‘Systematic failings’ in England’s care system as boy restrained in hospital
High court hears incident meant other seriously ill children had to be moved to nearby hospitals. Full story: The Guardian.

Court of Appeal calls for fresh attention to fundamental principles of good case management in care proceedings as workload grows
The desired shift in professional practice in care proceedings can be achieved by paying fresh attention to the fundamental principles of good case management, the Court of Appeal has stressed in two cases appealed from the Family Court at Leeds. Full story: Local Government Lawyer.

Marriages in England and Wales: 2018
Number of marriages that took place in England and Wales analysed by age, sex, previous marital status and civil or religious ceremony. Full story: Office for National Statistics.

CASES

S (Children), Re (Inherent Jurisdiction: Setting Aside Return Order) [2021] EWCA Civ 1223 (13 August 2021)
Appeal against an order dismissing applications by the mother under the inherent jurisdiction in respect of her children who are residing with their father in Libya. Appeal allowed. Full report: Bailii.

B (Children), Re [2021] EWCA Civ 1221 (13 August 2021)
Appeal by mother against order refusing application for permission to dispense with requirement for LA to give notice of proceedings to the biological father of one of the children. Appeal dismissed. Full report: Bailii.

A County Council v A (a child) [2021] EWFC B46 (28 June 2021)
Application for a Care Order and Deprivation of Liberty Order for a further 6 months, in relation to 17 year old male. Full report: Bailii.

Dorset Council v M & Ors (Removal : Balance of Harm) [2021] EWFC B43 (06 August 2021)
Care proceedings concerning four children. Interim care orders made, on basis that children remain with their mother. Full report: Bailii.

C (A Child) (Child Abduction : Parent's Refusal To Return With Child) [2021] EWCA Civ 1216 (10 August 2021)
Appeal by mother against order for summary return of child to France, on basis that judge wrong to conclude that she would return with child. Appeal dismissed. Full report: Bailii.

I-A (Revocation of Adoption Order) [2021] EWCA Civ 1222 (10 August 2021)
Appeal against an order dismissing an application by the birth mother of three children to revoke an adoption order made in respect of the children. Appeal dismissed. Full report: Bailii.