A & B, Re

A & B, Re

The risk that the children would not return from the Philippines is significant, with no effective legal safeguards available to secure their return. The consequences for the children's relationship with their father would be catastrophic if they were retained in the Philippines. The welfare of the children requires refusal of the mother's application and granting of the father's prohibited steps order until B reaches the age of 7.

Parties
Applicant Mother: M; Respondent Father: M
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
12 December 2025
Procedural Posture
Family / Final Judgment
Outcome
Mother's application for permission to take the children to the Philippines refused; father's application for prohibited steps order granted.
Legal Topics
Specific Issue Order, Prohibited Steps Order, International Child Abduction, Jurisdiction, Child Welfare, Parental Responsibility
Family Law Children Law Specific Issue Order Prohibited Steps Order International Child Abduction Jurisdiction Child Welfare Parental Responsibility

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Parties

M

Applicant Mother

M

Respondent Father

Procedural Posture

Family / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the mother should be permitted to take the children to the Philippines for a holiday
  2. 2 Whether a prohibited steps order should be made preventing removal of the children from England and Wales
  3. 3 Assessment of risk of non-return from the Philippines

Ratio Decidendi

The risk that the children would not return from the Philippines is significant, with no effective legal safeguards available to secure their return. The consequences for the children's relationship with their father would be catastrophic if they were retained in the Philippines. The welfare of the children requires refusal of the mother's application and granting of the father's prohibited steps order until B reaches the age of 7.

Court Disposition

Mother's application for permission to take the children to the Philippines refused; father's application for prohibited steps order granted.

Orders

  • Prohibited steps order preventing removal of the children from the jurisdiction of England and Wales until 4.00pm on B's 7th birthday.
  • Neither party may obtain duplicate or alternative passports or travel documents for the children during the currency of the order.