SA v TA (Relocation: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

SA v TA (Relocation: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

The children's welfare is best served by remaining in their mother's care in the UK, with increased holiday contact with their father. The risk of harm from relocation to KSA, loss of local authority support, and disruption to their primary attachment outweighs the benefits. Safeguards are sufficient for temporary travel to KSA with a financial bond. A s91(14) order is necessary to protect the children from further litigation-induced harm until age 16.

Parties
Applicant/mother: S. A.; First Respondent/father: T. A.; Second Fourth Respondents/children: AA, BA, CA (the children, through their r16.4 Guardian)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
08 February 2026
Procedural Posture
Children Act 1989 Private Law Proceedings / Final Judgment After Contested Hearing
Outcome
Father's application for relocation to KSA refused; children to remain living with mother in the UK; increased holiday contact with father; s91(14) order made; permission for travel to KSA with safeguards.
Legal Topics
International Relocation, Child Arrangements, Parental Responsibility, Section 91(14) Orders, Welfare of the Child, Enforcement of Foreign Orders
Family Law Child Law International Relocation Child Arrangements Parental Responsibility Section 91(14) Orders Welfare of the Child Enforcement of Foreign Orders

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Parties

S. A.

Applicant/mother

T. A.

First Respondent/father

AA, BA, CA (the children, through their r16.4 Guardian)

Second Fourth Respondents/children

Procedural Posture

Children Act 1989 Private Law Proceedings / Final Judgment After Contested Hearing

Legal Issues

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

Ratio Decidendi

The children's welfare is best served by remaining in their mother's care in the UK, with increased holiday contact with their father. The risk of harm from relocation to KSA, loss of local authority support, and disruption to their primary attachment outweighs the benefits. Safeguards are sufficient for temporary travel to KSA with a financial bond. A s91(14) order is necessary to protect the children from further litigation-induced harm until age 16.

Court Disposition

Father's application for relocation to KSA refused; children to remain living with mother in the UK; increased holiday contact with father; s91(14) order made; permission for travel to KSA with safeguards.

Orders

  • Children to live with their mother in the UK.
  • Father to have increased holiday contact: half the summer holidays or 28 days, whichever is longer, plus existing contact arrangements.