A Local Authority v A & Ors

A Local Authority v A & Ors

The child's injuries were caused by excessive and significant applications of force, outside reasonable handling, by the father during care tasks such as leg cycling and nappy changing. The mother did not cause or know of the injuries prior to their discovery. The injuries were not explained by medical, genetic, or...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Applicant: A Local Authority; Respondent: Mother (A); Respondent: Father (A); Respondent: Child (B) (via Guardian Emma Atkinson)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 September 2025
Procedural Posture
Family / Judgment
Outcome
Findings made as pleaded; injuries caused by excessive force by father, not mother; not deliberately inflicted.
Legal Topics
Non Accidental Injury, Care Proceedings, Pool of Perpetrators, Expert Medical Evidence, Child Welfare
Family Law Child Protection Non Accidental Injury Care Proceedings Pool of Perpetrators Expert Medical Evidence Child Welfare

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

A Local Authority

Applicant

Mother (A)

Respondent

Father (A)

Respondent

Child (B) (via Guardian Emma Atkinson)

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Family / Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether injuries to the child were inflicted by one or both parents
  2. 2 Identification of perpetrator
  3. 3 Causation of injuries

Ratio Decidendi

The child's injuries were caused by excessive and significant applications of force, outside reasonable handling, by the father during care tasks such as leg cycling and nappy changing. The mother did not cause or know of the injuries prior to their discovery. The injuries were not explained by medical, genetic, or haematological factors, and were not deliberately inflicted but resulted from careless handling and lack of recognition of pain response.

Court Disposition

Findings made as pleaded; injuries caused by excessive force by father, not mother; not deliberately inflicted.

Orders

  • Proceedings to move on to welfare determination and implementation of ISW recommendations.
  • Parties invited to agree timetable for welfare hearing.