AF v RM [2026] EWFC 105 (B) (09 March 2026)

AF v RM [2026] EWFC 105 (B) (09 March 2026)

AF knowingly breached the child arrangements order by attempting to communicate with the children via third parties and by disclosing confidential court documents, in deliberate contravention of the order's terms and confidentiality warnings. His actions constituted contempt of court, proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Citation
[2026] EWFC 105 (B)
Parties
Applicant Father: AF; Respondent Mother: RM
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
09 March 2026
Procedural Posture
Committal Application (contempt of Court) in Private Children Proceedings / Final Hearing and Sentencing
Outcome
Contempt of court proved; suspended sentence imposed.
Legal Topics
Breach of Child Arrangements Order, Indirect Contact, Confidentiality of Family Proceedings, Committal Proceedings, Sentencing for Contempt
Family Law Contempt of Court Breach of Child Arrangements Order Indirect Contact Confidentiality of Family Proceedings Committal Proceedings Sentencing for Contempt

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Parties

AF

Applicant Father

RM

Respondent Mother

Procedural Posture

Committal Application (contempt of Court) in Private Children Proceedings / Final Hearing and Sentencing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether AF breached the child arrangements order dated 11 May 2025 by communicating with the children via third parties and by disclosing confidential court documents to third parties
  2. 2 Whether AF's actions amounted to contempt of court

Ratio Decidendi

AF knowingly breached the child arrangements order by attempting to communicate with the children via third parties and by disclosing confidential court documents, in deliberate contravention of the order's terms and confidentiality warnings. His actions constituted contempt of court, proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Court Disposition

Contempt of court proved; suspended sentence imposed.

Orders

  • AF sentenced to 28 days imprisonment for each breach, to run concurrently, suspended until 10am on 12 March 2027, on condition that AF does not attend the children's schools and does not contact or attempt to contact the children other than in accordance with the order of 11 May 2025.