Father v. Mother (Fact-Finding: DARVO) [2025] EWFC 284 (B) (11 August 2025)

Father v. Mother (Fact-Finding: DARVO) [2025] EWFC 284 (B) (11 August 2025)

The court found, on the balance of probabilities, that F engaged in a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour towards M, amounting to domestic abuse as defined in Practice Direction 12J and relevant case law. The court found M's evidence credible and supported by contemporaneous and independent evidence, while F's evidence and that of his witnesses was unreliable, self-serving, and often lacked foundation. The court rejected F's allegations of alienating behaviour by M, finding no sufficient evidence of such conduct. The court determined that the extension of the non-molestation order was justified pending further proceedings.

Citation
[2025] EWFC 284 (B)
Parties
Applicant Father: F; Respondent Mother: M
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
11 August 2025
Procedural Posture
Family Law Children Act and Family Law Act Proceedings / Fact Finding Hearing and Judgment
Outcome
Findings of domestic abuse (coercive and controlling behaviour) made against F; allegations of alienating behaviour by M not proved; non-molestation order extended until next hearing.
Legal Topics
Domestic Abuse, Coercive and Controlling Behaviour, Fact Finding Hearing, Parental Alienation, Child Arrangements, Non Molestation Order
Family Law Domestic Abuse Coercive and Controlling Behaviour Fact Finding Hearing Parental Alienation Child Arrangements Non Molestation Order

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Parties

F

Applicant Father

M

Respondent Mother

Procedural Posture

Family Law Children Act and Family Law Act Proceedings / Fact Finding Hearing and Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether F perpetrated domestic abuse, including coercive and controlling behaviour, against M
  2. 2 Whether M engaged in alienating behaviours against F
  3. 3 Whether the existing non-molestation order should be extended

Ratio Decidendi

The court found, on the balance of probabilities, that F engaged in a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour towards M, amounting to domestic abuse as defined in Practice Direction 12J and relevant case law. The court found M's evidence credible and supported by contemporaneous and independent evidence, while F's evidence and that of his witnesses was unreliable, self-serving, and often lacked foundation. The court rejected F's allegations of alienating behaviour by M, finding no sufficient evidence of such conduct. The court determined that the extension of the non-molestation order was justified pending further proceedings.

Court Disposition

Findings of domestic abuse (coercive and controlling behaviour) made against F; allegations of alienating behaviour by M not proved; non-molestation order extended until next hearing.

Orders

  • Findings of fact as set out in the judgment
  • Non-molestation order extended until next hearing