M (Children : Care Proceedings : Passport Order)

M (Children : Care Proceedings : Passport Order)

The appeal was allowed and the father's passports ordered to be returned based on new evidence of changed circumstances, including the children's relocation and the father's cooperation, rendering continued retention of the passports unjustified.

Parties
Appellant: Appellant (Father); Respondent: Local Authority; Other: Mother; Other: Children's Guardian
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
14 February 2017
Procedural Posture
Family / Appeal
Outcome
appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Passport Orders, Care Orders, Inherent Jurisdiction, Proportionality, Review of Orders

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Appellant (Father)

Appellant

Local Authority

Respondent

Mother

Other

Children's Guardian

Other

Procedural Posture

Family / Appeal

  1. 1 Whether the court has power to continue a passport order post-conclusion of care proceedings absent statutory authority
  2. 2 Whether the indefinite retention of the father's passports was a proportionate and justified curtailment of his freedom
  3. 3 Whether the review mechanism for the passport order was adequate

Ratio Decidendi

The appeal was allowed and the father's passports ordered to be returned based on new evidence of changed circumstances, including the children's relocation and the father's cooperation, rendering continued retention of the passports unjustified.

Court Disposition

appeal allowed

Orders

  • Immediate return of the father's passports
  • All previous passport orders relating to the father set aside