Mr & Mrs T v IM & Ors [2025] EWHC 1470 (Fam) (16 June 2025)

Mr & Mrs T v IM & Ors [2025] EWHC 1470 (Fam) (16 June 2025)

The statutory requirements for a domestic adoption order under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 were satisfied, including domicile, consent, and assessment in the home environment. The assessment process, though partly virtual, was sufficient and did not compromise quality. There was no breach of section 92 as the adoption process followed official channels. Adoption is in the best interests of the child throughout his life.

Citation
[2025] EWHC 1470 (Fam)
Parties
Applicants: Mr. and Mrs. T; 1st Respondent: IM; 2nd Respondent: London Borough of Islington; 3rd Respondent: D (through their children's guardian, Lauren Doyle)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 June 2025
Procedural Posture
Adoption Application Under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 / Final Judgment
Outcome
Adoption order granted
Legal Topics
International Adoption, Recognition of Foreign Adoptions, Statutory Requirements for Adoption, Consent of Birth Parents, Assessment Process for Adopters, Section 92 Restrictions, Child Welfare
Family Law Adoption Law International Adoption Recognition of Foreign Adoptions Statutory Requirements for Adoption Consent of Birth Parents Assessment Process for Adopters Section 92 Restrictions +1 more

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Parties

Mr. and Mrs. T

Applicants

IM

1st Respondent

London Borough of Islington

2nd Respondent

D (through their children's guardian, Lauren Doyle)

3rd Respondent

Procedural Posture

Adoption Application Under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the statutory requirements for a domestic adoption order under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 are satisfied
  2. 2 Whether the assessment process under s42(7)(b) ACA 2002 was properly conducted
  3. 3 Whether there was any breach of section 92 ACA 2002 regarding restrictions on arranging adoptions

Ratio Decidendi

The statutory requirements for a domestic adoption order under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 were satisfied, including domicile, consent, and assessment in the home environment. The assessment process, though partly virtual, was sufficient and did not compromise quality. There was no breach of section 92 as the adoption process followed official channels. Adoption is in the best interests of the child throughout his life.

Court Disposition

Adoption order granted

Orders

  • Adoption order made in favour of the applicants for child D
  • Contact between D and birth family to be maintained via WhatsApp and other social media as determined by the applicants