A v S

A v S

Direct supervised contact between father and children is ordered as the welfare checklist does not support a complete bar on contact; the proven domestic abuse predates the children’s birth or is not shown to have affected them, and the father’s immigration motive does not outweigh the statutory presumption of parental involvement. Declaration of parentage and parental responsibility are granted as there is no manifest public policy reason to refuse and it is in the children’s interests.

Parties
Applicant Father: A; Respondent Mother: S
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
13 October 2025
Procedural Posture
Family / Final Judgment
Outcome
Application granted in part
Legal Topics
Child Arrangements, Parental Responsibility, Declaration of Parentage, Domestic Abuse, Immigration and Family Proceedings
Family Law Child Arrangements Parental Responsibility Declaration of Parentage Domestic Abuse Immigration and Family Proceedings

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Parties

A

Applicant Father

S

Respondent Mother

Procedural Posture

Family / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether direct contact between father and children should be ordered
  2. 2 Whether declaration of parentage and parental responsibility should be granted
  3. 3 Assessment of risk of harm to children from proven domestic abuse

Ratio Decidendi

Direct supervised contact between father and children is ordered as the welfare checklist does not support a complete bar on contact; the proven domestic abuse predates the children’s birth or is not shown to have affected them, and the father’s immigration motive does not outweigh the statutory presumption of parental involvement. Declaration of parentage and parental responsibility are granted as there is no manifest public policy reason to refuse and it is in the children’s interests.

Court Disposition

Application granted in part

Orders

  • Monthly supervised contact at a contact centre funded by the father for 18 months for up to two hours
  • Declaration of parentage granted