A & B (Children) (Private Law Finding of Fact Hearing), Re [2026] EWFC 100 (B) (02 March 2026)

A & B (Children) (Private Law Finding of Fact Hearing), Re [2026] EWFC 100 (B) (02 March 2026)

The court found both parents engaged in abusive behaviour, but the father's conduct was more serious and included three proven assaults on child A, fabrication of allegations against the mother, and post-separation stalking and harassment. The mother's physical aggression was established on two occasions. The findings were made on the balance of probabilities, considering the totality of evidence, patterns of behaviour, and credibility of witnesses.

Citation
[2026] EWFC 100 (B)
Parties
Applicant: FD; Respondent: MG
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
02 March 2026
Procedural Posture
Private Law Children Proceedings / Finding of Fact Hearing
Outcome
Findings of fact made against both parents; more serious findings against the father, including three assaults on child A and fabrication of allegations against the mother.
Legal Topics
Domestic Abuse, Child Arrangements, Controlling and Coercive Behaviour, Physical Abuse, Fact Finding Hearings
Family Law Domestic Abuse Child Arrangements Controlling and Coercive Behaviour Physical Abuse Fact Finding Hearings

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Parties

FD

Applicant

MG

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Private Law Children Proceedings / Finding of Fact Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether either parent engaged in controlling or coercive behaviour
  2. 2 Whether either parent physically abused the other or the children
  3. 3 Whether the father assaulted child A on three occasions

Ratio Decidendi

The court found both parents engaged in abusive behaviour, but the father's conduct was more serious and included three proven assaults on child A, fabrication of allegations against the mother, and post-separation stalking and harassment. The mother's physical aggression was established on two occasions. The findings were made on the balance of probabilities, considering the totality of evidence, patterns of behaviour, and credibility of witnesses.

Court Disposition

Findings of fact made against both parents; more serious findings against the father, including three assaults on child A and fabrication of allegations against the mother.

Orders

  • Supervised contact between the father and children to continue as per Cafcass recommendation.
  • No findings made that the mother fabricated allegations against the father.