J (Children), Re

J (Children), Re

The judge failed to accord procedural fairness by making final care orders at an IRH without a contested hearing, updated case analysis, or proper representation for the children, thereby breaching Article 6 and 8 ECHR rights.

Parties
Appellant: A McC; 1st Respondent: The London Borough of Wandsworth; 2nd Respondent: A J; 3rd Respondent: C J; 4th Respondent: J J; Intervener: Children’s Guardian (Intervener)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
23 May 2017
Procedural Posture
Care Proceedings / Appeal Against Final Care Orders
Outcome
Appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Procedural Fairness, Care Orders, Children's Guardian Role, Article 6 ECHR, Article 8 ECHR

Case Brief

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Parties

A McC

Appellant

The London Borough of Wandsworth

1st Respondent

A J

2nd Respondent

C J

3rd Respondent

J J

4th Respondent

Children’s Guardian (Intervener)

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Care Proceedings / Appeal Against Final Care Orders

  1. 1 Whether the judge was wrong in the procedure adopted to make substantive care orders at the IRH
  2. 2 Whether procedural fairness was accorded to the mother and children
  3. 3 Whether the absence of a contested final hearing and updated case analysis undermined the integrity of the decision

Ratio Decidendi

The judge failed to accord procedural fairness by making final care orders at an IRH without a contested hearing, updated case analysis, or proper representation for the children, thereby breaching Article 6 and 8 ECHR rights.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed

Orders

  • Final care orders set aside
  • Case to be listed for directions within 7 days before the President for re-hearing