BL v MK & Ors
The mother’s conduct in pursuing extreme, unproven, and harmful allegations against the father was unreasonable and reprehensible, justifying an order for costs against her in accordance with established principles for exceptional circumstances in family proceedings.
- Parties
- Applicant: BL; Respondent: MK; Respondent: The Children (by their Children’s Guardian)
- Jurisdiction
- England and Wales
- Judgment Date
- 13 February 2026
- Procedural Posture
- Family / Final Judgment Costs Application
- Outcome
- Costs order granted against the mother
- Legal Topics
- Costs in Family Proceedings, Domestic Abuse Allegations, Parental Alienation, Fact Finding Hearings
Case Brief
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
BL
Applicant
MK
Respondent
The Children (by their Children’s Guardian)
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Family / Final Judgment Costs Application
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether costs should be awarded against the mother for pursuing serious and unproven allegations against the father
- 2 Assessment of conduct and its impact on costs in family proceedings
Ratio Decidendi
The mother’s conduct in pursuing extreme, unproven, and harmful allegations against the father was unreasonable and reprehensible, justifying an order for costs against her in accordance with established principles for exceptional circumstances in family proceedings.
Court Disposition
Costs order granted against the mother
Orders
- Mother to pay a contribution of £96,000 to the father’s costs, representing approximately 65% of his total costs. If calculations are incorrect, the sum to be paid is 65% of the father’s total costs from the date the matter was heard by HHJ Patel to the final hearing.
Full Case Text
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