News Essentials - Summer bank holiday edition: 28th August 2021

Image: Public Domain, via Piqsels

A brief summary of the essential family law news and cases from the last week. Enjoy the long weekend.

NEWS

‘Depressingly familiar scenario’ sees teenager detained in hospital due to lack of secure accommodation
A High Court judge has invited Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to contribute to litigation centred on a troubled teenage girl who has been “detained” in the side room of a hospital ward because no appropriate secure accommodation is available. Full story: Care Appointments.

Domestic abusers ‘weaponised’ Covid in England and Wales, study finds
Police forces urged to stay alert to ‘Covid blaming’ as an excuse or defence by suspects. Full story: The Guardian.

Unfinished DoLS applications fall for second consecutive year, annual statistics show
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications uncompleted at the end of 2021-21 dropped by 10,000 on the previous year, as the total completed approached 250,000. Full story: Community Care.

UK’s role in divorce litigation will be hit by EU dispute, say lawyers
Brussels’ opposition to Britain’s attempt to join Lugano Convention could add uncertainty to family break-ups. Full story: Financial Times.

£20 million to provide more early help for vulnerable families
The Department for Education has announced a multi-million-pound investment to improve access to early education, health and care services for vulnerable or low-income families in England. Full story: Family Law Week.

CASES

J v J (Return to Non-Hague Convention Country) [2021] EWHC 2412 (Fam) (27 August 2021)
Application by father for summary return of child to India. Return ordered. Full report: Bailii.

LF v DF (Financial Remedy: Appeal: Costs Debts in a Needs Case) [2021] EWFC B50 (23 August 2021)
Appeal by wife from financial remedies order on grounds, inter alia, that the judge was wrong to make no provision for her debts. Appeal allowed, and lump sum order set aside. Full report: Bailii.

Dhillon v Sampuran [2021] EWFC B70 (22 June 2021)Application by wife for activation of a suspended committal order, made against husband on judgment summons application re non-payment of a lump sum. Full report: Bailii.

Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust & Anor v M & Ors [2021] EWHC 2377 (Fam) (25 August 2021)
Application by NHS Trust for a declaration that they may remove ventilation from 14 year old child in critical medical state. Full report: Bailii.

X (Children) (Article 61 Biia) [2021] EWCA Civ 1305 (24 August 2021)
Appeal by father from order that child arrangements proceedings were subject to the 1996 Hague Convention, on the basis that the Convention does not apply because of the effect of Art 61 BIIa. Appeal allowed. Full report: Bailii.