X v Y

X v Y

It is in the child’s best interests to be told the truth about his parentage as soon as it can be safely arranged, with professional support, as the emotional and psychological harm of later unmanaged discovery outweighs the mother’s objections. There are no cogent child-focused reasons to deny the child this knowledge.

Parties
Applicant/father: X; Respondent/mother: Y; Child: A
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
11 October 2024
Procedural Posture
Child Arrangements and Specific Issue Order / Final Hearing
Outcome
Specific Issue Order granted; child to be told the truth about his parentage as soon as safely arranged. No child arrangements order made at this stage.
Legal Topics
Child Arrangements, Specific Issue Order, Parental Responsibility, Disclosure of Parentage, Welfare of the Child
Family Law Children Law Child Arrangements Specific Issue Order Parental Responsibility Disclosure of Parentage Welfare of the Child

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Parties

X

Applicant/father

Y

Respondent/mother

A

Child

Procedural Posture

Child Arrangements and Specific Issue Order / Final Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the child should be told the identity of his biological father
  2. 2 Whether a Specific Issue Order should be made for disclosure of parentage
  3. 3 Whether the mother’s actions amount to parental alienation

Ratio Decidendi

It is in the child’s best interests to be told the truth about his parentage as soon as it can be safely arranged, with professional support, as the emotional and psychological harm of later unmanaged discovery outweighs the mother’s objections. There are no cogent child-focused reasons to deny the child this knowledge.

Court Disposition

Specific Issue Order granted; child to be told the truth about his parentage as soon as safely arranged. No child arrangements order made at this stage.

Orders

  • A must be told the truth about his parentage as soon as it can be safely arranged, with professional support.
  • A s37 direction to London Borough of Hillingdon for assessment regarding future spending time arrangements, disclosure process, and therapeutic support for A.