J, Re (Committal Decision) [2025] EWFC 80 (B) (28 March 2025)

FE's persistent and deliberate failure to comply with court orders to provide a DNA sample from J constitutes contempt of court. The seriousness of the breaches and lack of engagement justify a committal order of 28 days' custody, to be served concurrently for both breaches, with automatic release at 14 days.

Citation: [2025] EWFC 80 (B)
Parties: Applicant: AS; Respondent: FE
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
Judgment Date: 28 March 2025
Procedural Posture: Private Law Children Proceedings (children Act 1989) / Committal Decision Following Contempt of Court
Outcome: committal to prison for contempt of court
Legal Topics: DNA Testing, Paternity, Enforcement of Court Orders, Committal for Contempt

Family Law Contempt of Court DNA Testing Paternity Enforcement of Court Orders Committal for Contempt

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 2 Authorities cited 3 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 2

Parties

Applicant

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Private Law Children Proceedings (children Act 1989) / Committal Decision Following Contempt of Court

Legal Issues

1 Whether FE is in contempt of court for failing to comply with orders to provide a DNA sample from J
2 Appropriate penalty for contempt in the circumstances

Ratio Decidendi

Court Disposition

committal to prison for contempt of court

Orders

FE committed to prison for 28 days for two counts of contempt, sentences to run concurrently, with automatic release at 14 days
Order may be purged if FE complies with the DNA sample order