News Essentials: 26th February 2022

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

NEWS

Call for ‘serious reform’ to reduce number of children placed out of area
New legislation and binding targets may be needed to tackle the disruption to children’s lives and relationships caused by being placed far from home, say MPs and peers. Full story: Community Care.

'Shambolic': family lawyers told divorce service will close soon
Family lawyers are worried couples may not be able to divorce after being notified that the digital portal they must use for applications will close soon due to upcoming reforms. Full story: Law Society Gazette.

Guns returned to dozens of domestic abuse suspects, police data shows
Dozens of gun-owning domestic abuse suspects have had their weapons returned by police over the past three years, the BBC can reveal. Full story: BBC News.

64% of social workers have reported concerns about families being able to provide food for children
The campaign group 'Food is Care', supported by the Social Workers Union Campaign Fund, has published new figures following a survey sent out to social workers regarding food poverty in the UK from December 2021 to January 2022. Full story: Family Law Week.

1 in 10 children in care has an unresolved immigration or nationality issue
On Friday 18 February 2022 Coram Children's Legal Centre and the South London Refugee Association published new research indicating that in England, at least 1 in 10 children in care has an unresolved immigration or nationality issue. Full story: Family Law Week.

Research Briefing published regarding the calculations for Child Maintenance
The House of Commons Library have published a Research Briefing explaining how the Child Maintenance Service calculates the amount of maintenance payable under the 2012 statutory scheme. Full story: Family Law Week.

Message from Mr Justice Mostyn: Standard orders
Contains revisions to the Standard Family Orders Volume 2 (Children and Other Orders). Full story: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.

CASES

Staley v SSWP (CMS appeal; relief from sanctions; extend time limit) [2022] EWFC B12 (09 January 2022)
Appeal against liability order. Application by respondent for appeal to be struck out due to being out of time. Held that there were exceptional circumstances allowing an extension of time. Full report: Bailii.

IK (A Child), Re (Hague Convention: Evidence Consent) [2022] EWHC 396 (Fam) (25 February 2022)
Application by mother for summary return of child to Russia. Defences of consent and acquiescence not made out, and return ordered. Full report: Bailii.

CD, Re [2021] EWFC 112 (14 December 2021)
Care proceedings brought as a result of injuries sustained by the child, who was born in June 2020. Judgment includes serious criticism of paediatrician, who failed to engage with the proceedings. Full report: Bailii.

A County Council v L & Ors [2021] EWHC 48 (Fam) (28 May 2021)
Fact-finding hearing in care proceedings, concerning cause of injuries to child. Judgment includes detailed summary of legal framework. Full report: Bailii.

R v G (Disclosure of Fact-Finding Judgment to SSHD) [2022] EWHC 367 (Fam) (31 January 2022)
Application by F for contact, where M and child are foreign nationals who have been granted refugee status. Application by F for disclosure of fact-finding judgment to the Secretary of State for the Home Department. Full report: Bailii.

Collardeau-Fuchs V Fuchs [2022] EWFC 6 (21 February 2022)
Application by wife for maintenance pending suit, in case involving huge assets and 'enormous' overheads. Full report: Bailii.