Cases Archive

Care — Care proceedings — Children Act 1989 — Local authority applying for interim care orders for three children — Justices declining to make orders in respect of two children — Justices announcing decision without stating findings of fact or reasons — Whether decision vitiated — Whether matter should be remitted for rehearing — Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) rules 1991, r 21(5),(6)

Adoption – Adoption of foreign child – Applicants employing lawyer in El Salvador to arrange for adoption of baby – Child brought to England and applicant issuing adoption proceedings – Authorities in El Salvador and in England not informed of criminal proceedings pending against applicant – Whether adoption order in breach of Adoption Act 1976 – Whether adoption order in child’s interests – Whether considerations of child’s welfare outweighing implications of public policy

Care proceedings – Father of little boy convicted of indecent assault on girl within family unit – Local authority applying for care orders concerning the little boy and three other girls – Justices making care orders regarding the girls but dismissing application concerning the boy – Justices concluding that res judicata applied – Local authority appealing by way of case stated – Whether doctrine of res judicata applying to care proceedings brought under the Children and Young Persons Act 1969, s 1

Parental rights – Illegitimate children – Local authority receiving children into care and passing parental rights resolution – Local authority applying to free children for adoption – Father applying for parental rights order – Family Law Reform Act 1987, s. 4

Parental rights – Children whose parents were not married to each other at the time of the births of the children – Local authority intervention – Effect of an order under Family Law Reform Act 1987, s. 4.

Adoption – Black child placed with white foster-parents – Foster-parents applying for adoption order and for consent of mother to adoption to be dispensed with on the grounds that it was unreasonably withheld – Natural father applying in wardship proceedings for care and control of child – Factors to be considered.

Evidence – Child – Sexual abuse – Child interviewed by hospital with regard to possible sexual abuse by father – Parents seeking care and control of child – Request by hospital for ruling that transcripts and videos of interviews should not be seen by child’s parents – Factors to be considered

Care proceedings – Full care hearing due to be heard – Guardian ad litem initiating wardship proceedings in High Court – Whether guardian ad litem having locus standi to issue such proceedings – Whether wardship proceedings should be terminated.