2022
Re P (Inherent Jurisdiction Return: Return Order: Welfare Analysis) [2023] EWHC 225 (Fam) and Re P (Inherent Jurisdiction Return: Allegations of Female Genital Mutilation and Domestic Abuse: Fact Finding) Neutral Citation Number [2022] EWHC 1722 (Fam)
Acted for a mother alleging risk of FGM on return to Nigeria, alongside allegations of abuse. The High Court found controlling behaviour. At final hearing, the child was ordered to return to Nigeria subject to conditions. The mother and the child had applied for asylum in the UK.
Successfully represented the mother on an application to stay a child contact order with the father pending determination of her appeal. The underlying appeal concerned a fact-finding decision in which none of her allegations had been proved. Stay ordered.
Represented the mother in a High Court appeal involving allegations of sexual coercion and submission within marriage. The case raised broader issues about how family courts assess sexual abuse in a religious marriage. Although the appeal was dismissed, the appellate court criticised aspects of the trial judge’s language.
Represented a victim of child marriage, FGM and domestic abuse in public law proceedings involving an extreme religious sect abroad. Serious findings of abuse were made. The case was unusual in that a special advocate was appointed to assist the court with sensitive disclosure issues. Read more in the Independent and Belfast Telegraph.
Appeared for the mother in an appeal brought by the Metropolitan Police. The Court of Appeal held that an injunction under the inherent jurisdiction had unlawfully interfered with a police investigation, clarifying the limits of family court intervention. Read more in the Guardian.
M (A Child: Private Law Children Proceedings: Case Management: Intimate Images) [2022] EWHC 986 (Fam) and M (A Child) [2021] EWHC 3225 (Fam)
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.
Appeared for the wife at a final hearing in financial remedy proceedings, challenging a post-nuptial agreement on the basis of alleged coercive control by her husband, a part-time judge and barrister; the allegations were not upheld. Read more in Financial Remedies Journal, the Times and the Daily Mail.
Successfully represented the mother in an appeal against a fact-finding judgment. The appellate court held that the trial judge had minimised domestic abuse and failed to apply the law correctly. Permission to appeal was granted and the appeal succeeded. Read more in the Independent.