A v B [2025] EWHC 3370 (Fam) (08 December 2025)

A v B [2025] EWHC 3370 (Fam) (08 December 2025)

Given the father's repeated dishonesty, breaches of court orders, financial abuse, and manipulation of C, and the unreliability of the proposed 'soft-landing' provisions for the mother's return to Egypt, the welfare of the children requires that C be returned to England to live with the mother and D, as only this arrangement allows for the children's best interests to be met and their relationship with both parents to be preserved.

Citation
[2025] EWHC 3370 (Fam)
Parties
Applicant: A; 1st Respondent: B; 2nd and 3rd Respondents: C and D (through their Guardian, Lillian Odze)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
08 December 2025
Procedural Posture
Children Act Proceedings (cross Applications for Return of Children) / Final Hearing
Outcome
Order for the return of C from Egypt to England to live with the mother; D to remain in England with the mother; application for D's return to Egypt refused.
Legal Topics
Child Abduction, Habitual Residence, Welfare Principle, Enforcement of Foreign Orders, Financial Provision, Parental Responsibility
Family Law International Child Law Child Abduction Habitual Residence Welfare Principle Enforcement of Foreign Orders Financial Provision Parental Responsibility

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Parties

A

Applicant

B

1st Respondent

C and D (through their Guardian, Lillian Odze)

2nd and 3rd Respondents

Procedural Posture

Children Act Proceedings (cross Applications for Return of Children) / Final Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether C should be returned from Egypt to England to live with the mother
  2. 2 Whether D should be returned from England to Egypt to live with the father
  3. 3 Whether the father's conduct and compliance with court orders affects the welfare assessment

Ratio Decidendi

Given the father's repeated dishonesty, breaches of court orders, financial abuse, and manipulation of C, and the unreliability of the proposed 'soft-landing' provisions for the mother's return to Egypt, the welfare of the children requires that C be returned to England to live with the mother and D, as only this arrangement allows for the children's best interests to be met and their relationship with both parents to be preserved.

Court Disposition

Order for the return of C from Egypt to England to live with the mother; D to remain in England with the mother; application for D's return to Egypt refused.

Orders

  • C to be returned to England within two weeks; to live with the mother on return.
  • Indirect contact between father and children to continue until C's return.