*/
Family proceedings – Orders in family proceedings. The mother of two girls had fled the family home with the children and residence orders had subsequently been made in her favour. The father applied for direct contact with the children. A fact-finding hearing led to the conclusion that the mother was in genuine fear of the father and that he had threatened to kill her. Assessments had placed her as being at high risk of 'honour' based violence. The original CAFCASS officer had recommended against direct contact between the father and children. The second officer recommended direct contact. The judge dismissed the father's application. The Court of Appeal, Civil Division, held that the judge had been entitled to disagree with the recommendation of the second officer and had given reasons for his conclusion. Further, the judge had had in mind all the factors that had fallen to be balanced.
Family proceedings – Orders in family proceedings. The mother of two girls had fled the family home with the children and residence orders had subsequently been made in her favour. The father applied for direct contact with the children. A fact-finding hearing led to the conclusion that the mother was in genuine fear of the father and that he had threatened to kill her. Assessments had placed her as being at high risk of 'honour' based violence. The original CAFCASS officer had recommended against direct contact between the father and children. The second officer recommended direct contact. The judge dismissed the father's application. The Court of Appeal, Civil Division, held that the judge had been entitled to disagree with the recommendation of the second officer and had given reasons for his conclusion. Further, the judge had had in mind all the factors that had fallen to be balanced.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Born from a grievance, their research project grew into a book and is now challenging the status quo. Emma Price and Emma-Louise Fenelon reveal the key findings – and the critical next steps
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
