A Father v A Mother [2026] EWFC 98 (B) (29 April 2026)

A Father v A Mother [2026] EWFC 98 (B) (29 April 2026)

The court found that the father committed acts of physical and verbal abuse against the mother, including pushing her out of a stationary car and grabbing her during an argument, and exposed the child to cannabis use. The mother did not commit the acts of physical aggression or property destruction alleged by the father. There was no pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour by the father, but there was a pattern of domestic verbal abuse within a toxic relationship. The father's behaviour was not intended to control the mother but to resist her reasonable expectations as a partner and parent.

Citation
[2026] EWFC 98 (B)
Parties
Applicant Father: A Father; Respondent Mother: A Mother
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
29 April 2026
Procedural Posture
Children Act 1989 Proceedings (fact Finding Hearing) / Fact Finding Judgment
Outcome
Findings of fact made; allegations by the mother largely proven; allegations by the father not proven; no finding of coercive and controlling behaviour.
Legal Topics
Domestic Abuse, Child Arrangements, Fact Finding Hearings, Coercive and Controlling Behaviour, Verbal Abuse, Drug Use, Physical Assault
Family Law Domestic Abuse Child Arrangements Fact Finding Hearings Coercive and Controlling Behaviour Verbal Abuse Drug Use Physical Assault

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Parties

A Father

Applicant Father

A Mother

Respondent Mother

Procedural Posture

Children Act 1989 Proceedings (fact Finding Hearing) / Fact Finding Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the father committed acts of domestic abuse against the mother
  2. 2 Whether the mother committed acts of domestic abuse against the father
  3. 3 Whether there was a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the father committed acts of physical and verbal abuse against the mother, including pushing her out of a stationary car and grabbing her during an argument, and exposed the child to cannabis use. The mother did not commit the acts of physical aggression or property destruction alleged by the father. There was no pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour by the father, but there was a pattern of domestic verbal abuse within a toxic relationship. The father's behaviour was not intended to control the mother but to resist her reasonable expectations as a partner and parent.

Court Disposition

Findings of fact made; allegations by the mother largely proven; allegations by the father not proven; no finding of coercive and controlling behaviour.

Orders

  • No direct contact recommended by Cafcass remains in place pending further proceedings.
  • Findings to inform future child arrangements.