A Mother v A Father

A Mother v A Father

The mother proved, on balance of probabilities, four specific incidents of abuse and a wider pattern of controlling and coercive behaviour by the father. The father's evidence was inconsistent, lacking detail, and not credible. Propensity evidence from police disclosure corroborated the mother's account. The...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Applicant: A Mother; Respondent: A Father
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 October 2025
Procedural Posture
Family / Fact Finding Hearing
Outcome
Mother's allegations proved; father's allegations not proved.
Legal Topics
Domestic Abuse, Child Arrangements, Controlling and Coercive Behaviour, Propensity Evidence
Family Law Domestic Abuse Child Arrangements Controlling and Coercive Behaviour Propensity Evidence

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

A Mother

Applicant

A Father

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Family / Fact Finding Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the father perpetrated domestic abuse, including controlling and coercive behaviour, against the mother
  2. 2 Whether the mother perpetrated controlling and coercive behaviour against the father
  3. 3 Assessment of specific incidents of abuse alleged by the mother

Ratio Decidendi

The mother proved, on balance of probabilities, four specific incidents of abuse and a wider pattern of controlling and coercive behaviour by the father. The father's evidence was inconsistent, lacking detail, and not credible. Propensity evidence from police disclosure corroborated the mother's account. The father's counter-allegations against the mother were not substantiated and were reactive to his own abusive conduct.

Court Disposition

Mother's allegations proved; father's allegations not proved.

Orders

  • Welfare assessment to be conducted considering findings of abuse and controlling behaviour.
  • Draft order to reflect findings of four specific incidents and pattern of controlling and coercive behaviour by the father.