A (A Minor: Domestic Abuse: Fact Finding) (No. 3), Re

A (A Minor: Domestic Abuse: Fact Finding) (No. 3), Re

The court found, on the balance of probabilities, that the father engaged in coercive and controlling behaviour towards the mother throughout and after their relationship, as defined by Practice Direction 12J to the Family Procedure Rules 2010. However, the court found that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that the father orchestrated the violent attack on the mother, as the evidence was circumstantial and did not meet the required standard for such a finding.

Parties
Subject Child: A (a minor); Respondent: Mother; Applicant: Father
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 October 2025
Procedural Posture
Private Law Family Proceedings / Fact Finding Judgment
Outcome
Findings of fact made against the father in respect of coercive and controlling behaviour; no finding made that the father orchestrated the attack on the mother.
Legal Topics
Domestic Abuse, Coercive and Controlling Behaviour, Fact Finding Hearing, Child Arrangements, Credibility of Witnesses
Family Law Child Law Domestic Abuse Coercive and Controlling Behaviour Fact Finding Hearing Child Arrangements Credibility of Witnesses

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Parties

A (a minor)

Subject Child

Mother

Respondent

Father

Applicant

Procedural Posture

Private Law Family Proceedings / Fact Finding Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the father engaged in coercive and controlling behaviour towards the mother
  2. 2 Whether the father orchestrated a violent attack on the mother
  3. 3 Assessment of credibility of parties and witnesses

Ratio Decidendi

The court found, on the balance of probabilities, that the father engaged in coercive and controlling behaviour towards the mother throughout and after their relationship, as defined by Practice Direction 12J to the Family Procedure Rules 2010. However, the court found that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that the father orchestrated the violent attack on the mother, as the evidence was circumstantial and did not meet the required standard for such a finding.

Court Disposition

Findings of fact made against the father in respect of coercive and controlling behaviour; no finding made that the father orchestrated the attack on the mother.