A v B & Anor [2025] EWFC 179 (B) (09 May 2025)

A v B & Anor [2025] EWFC 179 (B) (09 May 2025)

The court found the mother's allegations of coercive and controlling behaviour by the father were not supported by reliable evidence and were rejected. The allegation that the father emotionally harmed the child by his comment was also rejected. The court found the mother made malicious and untrue allegations to adversely affect the father, including impacting his work and contact, and engaged in alienating behaviour post-separation, restricting the father's relationship with the child without justification.

Citation
[2025] EWFC 179 (B)
Parties
Applicant: A; First Respondent: B; Second Respondent: C (through their children's guardian)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
09 May 2025
Procedural Posture
Private Law Children Proceedings / Fact Finding Hearing
Outcome
Mother's allegations dismissed; father's allegations of malicious falsehood and alienation upheld.
Legal Topics
Child Arrangements Order, Fact Finding Hearing, Domestic Abuse, Parental Alienation, Contact Arrangements
Family Law Child Arrangements Order Fact Finding Hearing Domestic Abuse Parental Alienation Contact Arrangements

Case Brief

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Parties

A

Applicant

B

First Respondent

C (through their children's guardian)

Second Respondent

Procedural Posture

Private Law Children Proceedings / Fact Finding Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the father engaged in coercive and controlling behaviour towards the mother
  2. 2 Whether the father emotionally harmed the child by his comments
  3. 3 Whether the mother made malicious and untrue allegations to adversely affect the father

Ratio Decidendi

The court found the mother's allegations of coercive and controlling behaviour by the father were not supported by reliable evidence and were rejected. The allegation that the father emotionally harmed the child by his comment was also rejected. The court found the mother made malicious and untrue allegations to adversely affect the father, including impacting his work and contact, and engaged in alienating behaviour post-separation, restricting the father's relationship with the child without justification.

Court Disposition

Mother's allegations dismissed; father's allegations of malicious falsehood and alienation upheld.

Orders

  • Fact-finding hearing concluded; welfare hearing adjourned for future determination.
  • Findings to inform future decisions regarding child arrangements.