EC-D & Anor v GH & Anor [2025] EWHC 1403 (Fam) (15 May 2025)

EC-D & Anor v GH & Anor [2025] EWHC 1403 (Fam) (15 May 2025)

The second applicant should be granted parental responsibility as AB's psychological parent, recognising his involvement and importance to AB, despite the respondent's opposition and poor inter-parental relations. Shared 'lives with' order is appropriate to reflect AB's two homes. Prohibited steps order preventing travel to Country R is justified due to real risk of non-return, given deteriorated relations and lack of enforceable safeguards. AB's surname should be changed to include all three parents. Religious upbringing should reflect the respondent's faith but allow AB to form his own views. Schooling decision deferred, with preference for school near respondent but subject to future...

Citation
[2025] EWHC 1403 (Fam)
Parties
1st Applicant: E C-D; 2nd Applicant: F C-D; 1st Respondent: G H; 2nd Respondent: AB C-D
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
15 May 2025
Procedural Posture
Family Law Children Act Proceedings / Final Judgment After Seven Day Hearing
Outcome
Second applicant granted parental responsibility; shared 'lives with' child arrangements order; prohibited steps order preventing travel to Country R for 2.5 years or until AB starts school; AB's surname changed to H-C-D; religious upbringing to reflect respondent's faith but not restrict applicants; school choice...
Legal Topics
Parental Responsibility, Child Arrangements, Prohibited Steps Order, Child's Name, Religion and Upbringing, Schooling
Family Law Child Law Parental Responsibility Child Arrangements Prohibited Steps Order Child's Name Religion and Upbringing Schooling

Case Brief

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Parties

E C-D

1st Applicant

F C-D

2nd Applicant

G H

1st Respondent

AB C-D

2nd Respondent

Procedural Posture

Family Law Children Act Proceedings / Final Judgment After Seven Day Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Should the second applicant be granted parental responsibility?
  2. 2 What child arrangements are in AB's best interests?
  3. 3 Should AB's surname be changed?

Ratio Decidendi

The second applicant should be granted parental responsibility as AB's psychological parent, recognising his involvement and importance to AB, despite the respondent's opposition and poor inter-parental relations. Shared 'lives with' order is appropriate to reflect AB's two homes. Prohibited steps order preventing travel to Country R is justified due to real risk of non-return, given deteriorated relations and lack of enforceable safeguards. AB's surname should be changed to include all three parents. Religious upbringing should reflect the respondent's faith but allow AB to form his own views. Schooling decision deferred, with preference for school near respondent but subject to future...

Court Disposition

Second applicant granted parental responsibility; shared 'lives with' child arrangements order; prohibited steps order preventing travel to Country R for 2.5 years or until AB starts school; AB's surname changed to H-C-D; religious upbringing to reflect respondent's faith but not restrict applicants; school choice...

Orders

  • Parental responsibility order in favour of second applicant
  • Shared 'lives with' child arrangements order naming all three adults