News

Preparing Court Bundles for Family Proceedings: Guide for Litigants in Person

Practice Direction 27A – Family Proceedings: Court Bundles (external link), supplements FPR Part 27 and came into force on Monday 2 March 2026. As set out at paragraph 1.1 of PD27A, this practice direction must be applied in order to achieve consistency across England and Wales in the family court and...

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Hampshire & IOW Pathfinder News

It has now been a little over 6 weeks since the Pathfinder model launched in Hampshire and Isle of Wight. The Local Implementation Group (LIG) have been meeting regularly to discuss progress and address quickly any issues that have arisen. Since the beginning of January training has taken place across all...

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A father & A mother and J (Child) [2026] EWFC 26 Mrs Justice Knowles - 4 February 2026

Gary Fawcett (1975)

Father sought an injunction preventing J, his daughter in interim foster care from changing schools due to the foster carers relocation. The main issues were: Did the LA have authority under s 33 CA 1989 to determine J’s school placement under an interim care order? What were the best interests and welfare of...

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Norfolk County Council v YY (Mother) 1925 EWCA 480 - Habitual Residence and forum conveniens examined by Mrs Justice Arbuthnot

Gary Fawcett (1975)

The subject married parents, were American Citizens living in East Anglia, following the fathers posting to a USA airbase there 7 years ago. They had 2 children, A, a boy aged 12 (natural parents) and B a 2 year old adopted girl. B was born in Bulgaria and adopted via...

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In the matter of X & the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and a Local Authority: Mrs Justice Arbuthnot DBE - 27th November 2025

Gary Fawcett (1975)

Those dealing with care cases will be familiar with DBS background checks, but we rarely have to go behind the legal scenic background of the DBS and the LA’s and the courts powers. It is rare in my experience to see a reported case where the DBS take action against a...

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President of the Family Division’s Non-molestation Orders guidance has comes into effect

The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane’s, Guidance 2026: Non-Molestation Orders under the Family Law Act 1996, which was published in December and replaces the 2023 Practice Guidance and has come into effect. The revised Guidance includes: Annex 1: An updated template for a Non-Molestation Order under Section 42 of...

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Financial Remedies – further extension of Transparency Pilot - Mr Justice Peel & His Honour Judge Hess

On 11 December 2023, the President of the Family Division issued Guidance ahead of the launch of the Transparency Reporting Pilot For Financial Remedy Proceedings. The pilot scheme started on 29 January 2024 in Birmingham, Leeds and the Central Family Court. With effect from 11 November 2024, the pilot scheme was...

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PD12J – Child Arrangements & Contact Orders: Domestic Abuse and Harm

PD12J sets out the procedure courts should follow in private law cases relating to children where there are allegations of domestic abuse are raised. The following amendments are made to PD12J the reference to honour-based violence is amended to honour-based abuse; provision relating to “Scott Schedules” is amended to remove that term and...

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Latest Pathfinder Newsletter

What’s New Pathfinder has launched this week across Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Cafcass, Local Authorities, The You Trust (Domestic Abuse Support Service and Hampshire Constabulary) have worked collaboratively through the Child Impact Report Subgroup to finalise the process and agree a Child Impact Report protocol. Training has been planned and delivered across...

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No.18 Chambers Announces Prestigious Gray’s Inn Scholarship Award for Holly McGahey

Holly McGahey (2023)

No.18 Chambers has announced that pupil barrister Holly McGahey has been awarded the highly coveted Gray’s Inn Ann Goddard Scholarship, a distinction recognising exceptional promise at the Bar. The Ann Goddard Scholarship, one of Gray’s Inn’s most competitive awards, is granted to individuals who demonstrate outstanding advocacy skills, intellectual ability and...

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Re X (A Child) 17.6.25 - Mr Justice Harrison - Meaning of father in s2 CA 1989 - Removal of PR

Gary Fawcett (1975)

Following on from my last article connected to PR, (Re S, 13.6.25. DJ Knifton, Liverpool) I noticed this little related step sibling ! Parties: X the child F, X’s biological father,  M, the mother, and  H, mother's former husband. The court was also assisted by Mr Niven-Phillips of Cafcass Legal who prepared a skeleton argument, having...

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EHRC Extends Enforcement Action Against McDonald’s: What Organisations Should Take From the Latest Developments

Helen Moizer (2018)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has extended its legal agreement with McDonald’s after further serious allegations of workplace sexual harassment came to light. Announced on 7 November 2025, the strengthened action plan is designed to ensure the company takes more effective steps to prevent harassment and protect its workforce. This move reflects...

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Re C (Children: Premature Determination) [2025] EWCA Civ 1481

Rachel Chapman (2017)

When does a judicial indication go too far? This was effectively the premise of this recent case heard by the Court of Appeal. The Local Authority first made an application for public law orders in June 2023 in respect of 4 children. In December 2024, proceedings concluded in respect of the...

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Re S 13.6.25. DJ Knifton, Liverpool. Case between Father & Mother & Maternal Grandmother PR - distinction between PR and contact test - review of cases pre and post Children Act 1989

Gary Fawcett (1975)

This case caught my eye, because the District Judge rehearses the law on PR.  Whilst we are all familiar with the tripartite test, there is just a little more to it than that !  The case doesn’t really create new judicial law, but is a good reminder of the current...

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Tribunal Updates: No Return of Fees, Pension Loss Guidance Review & New London Venue Announced

Helen Moizer (2018)

Government Confirms Employment Tribunal Fees Will Not Be Reintroduced The Labour government has confirmed that employment tribunal fees will not be reintroduced, ending speculation that arose following recent comments from the Ministry of Justice. David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, issued a clear statement via social media platform X (formerly...

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Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Father & Mother [2025] EWFC 315 (B) 1.9.25. HHJ Simmonds - Extended Civil Restraint Order

Gary Fawcett (1975)

When I read about a Civil Restraint Order my mind conjures up pictures of the Civil Guardia in Spain slapping the cuffs on someone, but as we know, that is not the case. In this Bournemouth case the parents represented themselves. On 23rd of July 2025 DJ Veal made a public...

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ER v NT (Need for fact-finding hearing) [2025] EWHC 2146 (Fam)

Rebecca Caws (2023)

This case concerns an appeal by a Mother (“M”) against a case management decision not to direct a fact-finding hearing. The proceedings concerned the Father’s (“F”) application for a child arrangements order to spend time with the parties’ daughter, CT born in 2023. The case management decision took place following the...

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No.18 Chambers welcomes Holly McGahey (2023) and Callan Withers (2025) as they commence pupillage

Holly McGahey (2023), Callan Withers (2025)

Holly McGahey (2023) Holly joined Chambers as a pupil after successful completion of the MLaw Exempting (Bar Course) at Northumbria University. Holly achieved a First Class Honours degree, along with a Distinction in all Bar Course modules. She was Called to the Bar in October 2023 by Gray’s Inn.  Prior to joining...

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AN EXCEPTIONAL YEAR FOR NO.18 CHAMBERS IN THE ANNUAL LEGAL 500 RANKINGS

Tracey Hennessey (2001), Nigel Cholerton (2007), Barnaby Large (2007), Laura Baines (2007), Claire Hook (2010), Francis Payne (2014), Amelia King (2016), Rachel Chapman (2017), Sara Chalk (2018), John Franklin (2016), Ian Wheaton (2002), Sarah Hirech (2012), Mark Windebank (LLB (Hons)), Dan Fantham, Breandan OCaoimh

No.18 Chambers are delighted to announce we have again received increased recognition for the Tenth year running in the annual Legal 500 rankings strengthening our TIER 2 status in Family & TIER 3 status in Employment. We would like to thank all those who have and continue to support us. The Legal...

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Rotherham MBC v M, F & C [2025] EWFC 298 (B) HHJ Afzal CBE - Revocation of Placement Order - Role of IRO - Papers to OS, is one child entitled to compensation

Gary Fawcett (1975)

 Two things caused me to write this article concerning the case law report: It contained no case law and It is not a situation I see very often. 25th September 2020.  C and his brother AR were made the subject of care and placement orders.  No joint placement found, and AR was put...

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