A and D (Children), Re

A and D (Children), Re

The President was entitled to find, as a matter of fact, that the mother agreed to the twins going to Cameroon, the arrangement was open-ended, and the twins acquired habitual residence in Cameroon over 18 months. The English High Court had no jurisdiction over them under the Family Law Act 1986 or Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003, as the father did not unequivocally accept jurisdiction. The appeal is dismissed.

Parties
Appellant: ES; Respondent: AJ
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
17 March 2011
Procedural Posture
Family / Appeal
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Habitual Residence, Wardship, Parental Responsibility, Forum Conveniens

Case Brief

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Parties

ES

Appellant

AJ

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Family / Appeal

  1. 1 Whether the twins were habitually resident in England and Wales or Cameroon as at April 2010
  2. 2 Whether the English High Court had jurisdiction over the twins under the Family Law Act 1986 and Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003
  3. 3 Whether the mother acquiesced in the twins remaining in Cameroon

Ratio Decidendi

The President was entitled to find, as a matter of fact, that the mother agreed to the twins going to Cameroon, the arrangement was open-ended, and the twins acquired habitual residence in Cameroon over 18 months. The English High Court had no jurisdiction over them under the Family Law Act 1986 or Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003, as the father did not unequivocally accept jurisdiction. The appeal is dismissed.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • originating summons dismissed
  • future of the twins to be decided by the courts of Cameroon