A v B & Anor

A v B & Anor

The court found no evidence of coercive and controlling behaviour by the father; the mother’s evidence was unreliable and unsupported. The mother’s allegation of emotional harm to the child by the father’s comment was not made out. The father’s allegation that the mother made malicious and untrue allegations affecting his work and contact was made out, as was the allegation of alienating behaviour by the mother post-separation. The mother manipulated evidence, engaged in alienating behaviours, and used her professional status to threaten contact services.

Parties
Applicant: A; First Respondent: B; Second Respondent (child, Through Guardian): C
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
23 June 2025
Procedural Posture
Private Law Family Proceedings / Fact Finding Hearing
Outcome
Findings made: No coercive and controlling behaviour by father; mother’s emotional harm allegation not made out; father’s allegations of malicious falsehoods and alienation by mother made out.
Legal Topics
Child Arrangements, Domestic Abuse, Parental Alienation, Witness Credibility
Family Law Child Arrangements Domestic Abuse Parental Alienation Witness Credibility

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 9 Authorities cited 20 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

A

Applicant

B

First Respondent

C

Second Respondent (child, Through Guardian)

Procedural Posture

Private Law Family Proceedings / Fact Finding Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the father engaged in coercive and controlling behaviour towards the mother
  2. 2 Whether the mother emotionally harmed the child by comments
  3. 3 Whether the mother made malicious and untrue allegations against the father affecting his work and contact

Ratio Decidendi

The court found no evidence of coercive and controlling behaviour by the father; the mother’s evidence was unreliable and unsupported. The mother’s allegation of emotional harm to the child by the father’s comment was not made out. The father’s allegation that the mother made malicious and untrue allegations affecting his work and contact was made out, as was the allegation of alienating behaviour by the mother post-separation. The mother manipulated evidence, engaged in alienating behaviours, and used her professional status to threaten contact services.

Court Disposition

Findings made: No coercive and controlling behaviour by father; mother’s emotional harm allegation not made out; father’s allegations of malicious falsehoods and alienation by mother made out.

Orders

  • Welfare hearing adjourned for future determination
  • Parties to reflect on findings before welfare decisions