SA v TA (Relocation: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) [2026] EWHC 756 (Fam) (08 February 2026)

SA v TA (Relocation: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) [2026] EWHC 756 (Fam) (08 February 2026)

The court refused the father's application to relocate the children to Saudi Arabia, finding that such a move would not be in the children's welfare interests due to the risk of emotional harm, instability, and the lack of enforceability of English orders in Saudi Arabia. The court found that both parents contributed to ongoing conflict, which was the primary source of harm to the children. The welfare of the children required stability, continued residence with their mother, and structured contact with their father. A s91(14) order was justified to prevent further harmful litigation.

Citation
[2026] EWHC 756 (Fam)
Parties
Applicant/mother: S. A.; First Respondent/father: T. A.; Second Fourth Respondents/children: The Children (AA, BA, CA)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
08 February 2026
Procedural Posture
Children Act 1989 Proceedings (child Arrangements and Relocation) / Final Hearing and Judgment
Outcome
Father's application for relocation to Saudi Arabia refused; children to remain living with mother; structured contact with father ordered; s91(14) order made.
Legal Topics
International Relocation, Child Arrangements, Welfare of the Child, Section 91(14) Orders, Enforcement of Foreign Orders
Family Law Child Law International Relocation Child Arrangements Welfare of the Child Section 91(14) Orders Enforcement of Foreign Orders

Case Brief

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Parties

S. A.

Applicant/mother

T. A.

First Respondent/father

The Children (AA, BA, CA)

Second Fourth Respondents/children

Procedural Posture

Children Act 1989 Proceedings (child Arrangements and Relocation) / Final Hearing and Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the children should be permitted to relocate to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with their father
  2. 2 Whether a s91(14) Children Act 1989 order should be made to restrict further applications
  3. 3 What child arrangements best serve the welfare of the children

Ratio Decidendi

The court refused the father's application to relocate the children to Saudi Arabia, finding that such a move would not be in the children's welfare interests due to the risk of emotional harm, instability, and the lack of enforceability of English orders in Saudi Arabia. The court found that both parents contributed to ongoing conflict, which was the primary source of harm to the children. The welfare of the children required stability, continued residence with their mother, and structured contact with their father. A s91(14) order was justified to prevent further harmful litigation.

Court Disposition

Father's application for relocation to Saudi Arabia refused; children to remain living with mother; structured contact with father ordered; s91(14) order made.

Orders

  • Children to live with their mother.
  • Father's application to relocate children to Saudi Arabia refused.