SAB (A Child), Re [2014] EWHC 384 (Fam) (23 January 2014)

SAB (A Child), Re [2014] EWHC 384 (Fam) (23 January 2014)

The court found on the balance of probabilities that DB did not agree to be a mere sperm donor and that the welfare of the child required that he have contact with his father. The court held that the benefits to the child of knowing and having a relationship with his father outweighed the mothers' objections and...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2014] EWHC 384 (Fam)
Parties
Applicant Father: DB; Respondent Mother: AB; Respondent Mother: CB; Child (by Guardian): SAB (by his guardian)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
23 January 2014
Procedural Posture
Family Law Child Contact Application / Final Judgment After Contested Hearing
Outcome
Contact order granted in favour of the applicant father.
Legal Topics
Child Contact, Parental Responsibility, Same Sex Parenting, Sperm Donor Rights
Family Law Child Contact Parental Responsibility Same Sex Parenting Sperm Donor Rights

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 2 Authorities cited 1 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

DB

Applicant Father

AB

Respondent Mother

CB

Respondent Mother

SAB (by his guardian)

Child (by Guardian)

Procedural Posture

Family Law Child Contact Application / Final Judgment After Contested Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the applicant father should have contact with his child, SAB, in the context of a dispute with the child's two mothers regarding his role (sperm donor or parent) and the child's welfare.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found on the balance of probabilities that DB did not agree to be a mere sperm donor and that the welfare of the child required that he have contact with his father. The court held that the benefits to the child of knowing and having a relationship with his father outweighed the mothers' objections and emotional difficulties.

Court Disposition

Contact order granted in favour of the applicant father.

Orders

  • Regular supervised contact between DB and SAB to take place at least once a fortnight for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, as recommended by the guardian.
  • Supervision to be provided initially to reassure the mothers and facilitate the re-establishment of the relationship.