2021
Appeared for two of the four appellant mothers in this Court of Appeal guidance case on rape, domestic abuse and coercive control. Read more in the Guardian 19/01/2021, the Guardian 31/03/2021 and the Justice Gap. Also acted for a mother in B-B on rehearing, securing findings of rape, sexual and verbal abuse, with the judgment recognising gaslighting as a form of abuse. Read more in the Independent.
Represented Florence, aged 15, securing an order to live primarily with her mother after an earlier transfer of residence to her father based on parental alienation, which she described as traumatising. Believed to be one of the first cases where a child successfully applied to return to her mother following such a transfer. Listen to Florence on the Tortoise Media podcast or read her story in the TBIJ.
Successfully represented the mother in opposing the father’s attempt to begin private law children proceedings in England and Wales.
Acted for the mother in child return proceedings from India, where the court refused to invoke parens patriae and clarified its limits, now a leading authority. Also appeared before the CJEU, which confirmed that Article 10 of Brussels IIa does not apply to third states such as India.
Acted for the mother in child return proceedings from India, where the court refused to invoke parens patriae and clarified its limits, now a leading authority. Also appeared before the CJEU, which confirmed that Article 10 of Brussels IIa does not apply to third states such as India.
Represented the mother in a successful High Court appeal concerning failures to implement participation directions and properly consider ‘sexual history’ evidence in a rape and abuse case. The High Court gave first-time guidance on the admissibility of sexual images and videos and directed that the mother be referred to as a ‘prostituted woman’ not ‘sex worker’ to reflect coercion.
Represented the mother in care and placement proceedings involving serious allegations of domestic abuse, neglect and non-accidental injury. The court made care and placement orders in respect of three children.