F v M & Ors

F v M & Ors

The court found that since at least April 2020, the father engaged in a campaign of controlling and coercive behaviour against the mother, including belittling, oppressive conduct, and emotionally abusive behaviour towards the children by denigrating the mother and coaching the children to make allegations. The court found that both parents exposed the children to arguments and inappropriate conduct, but most of the father's and mother's specific allegations of physical abuse were not proved due to lack of supporting evidence. The father's behaviour was found to be emotionally abusive and calculated to alienate the children from their mother.

Parties
Applicant: F; First Respondent: M; Second and Third Respondents: S & L (through Georgia Mills)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
24 November 2024
Procedural Posture
Children Act Proceedings / Fact Finding Hearing
Outcome
Fact-finding completed; findings made as to patterns of abusive behaviour, specific allegations largely not proved.
Legal Topics
Child Arrangements Order, Domestic Abuse, Fact Finding, Parental Responsibility, Contact Arrangements
Family Law Child Law Child Arrangements Order Domestic Abuse Fact Finding Parental Responsibility Contact Arrangements

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Parties

F

Applicant

M

First Respondent

S & L (through Georgia Mills)

Second and Third Respondents

Procedural Posture

Children Act Proceedings / Fact Finding Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the father or mother perpetrated domestic abuse against each other or the children
  2. 2 Whether the children suffered emotional or physical harm due to parental conduct
  3. 3 Whether allegations of physical abuse, emotional abuse, and controlling/coercive behaviour are substantiated

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that since at least April 2020, the father engaged in a campaign of controlling and coercive behaviour against the mother, including belittling, oppressive conduct, and emotionally abusive behaviour towards the children by denigrating the mother and coaching the children to make allegations. The court found that both parents exposed the children to arguments and inappropriate conduct, but most of the father's and mother's specific allegations of physical abuse were not proved due to lack of supporting evidence. The father's behaviour was found to be emotionally abusive and calculated to alienate the children from their mother.

Court Disposition

Fact-finding completed; findings made as to patterns of abusive behaviour, specific allegations largely not proved.

Orders

  • Findings of fact as set out in the judgment; further directions to follow regarding child arrangements.