S (A Child) [2014] EWFC B224 (10 June 2014)

S (A Child) [2014] EWFC B224 (10 June 2014)

The court ordered that the previous judgments be disclosed to the father's legal representative and Dr Hill for the purpose of a complete psychological assessment, with an executive summary to be provided to the mother’s legal team but not to the mother directly. An independent social work report for the father was deemed necessary due to the complexity and inadequacy of existing assessments, but not for the mother at this stage. The court required evidence in statement form regarding the mother's absence due to alleged threats.

Citation
[2014] EWFC B224
Parties
Applicant: Local Authority; Respondent: Mother (M); Respondent: Father (F); Subject: Child (A)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 June 2014
Procedural Posture
Public Law Children Proceedings / Interlocutory Directions Hearing
Outcome
interlocutory orders made; directions given
Legal Topics
Expert Evidence, Disclosure, Confidentiality, Independent Social Work Assessment, Welfare of the Child
Family Law Child Protection Expert Evidence Disclosure Confidentiality Independent Social Work Assessment Welfare of the Child

Case Brief

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Parties

Local Authority

Applicant

Mother (M)

Respondent

Father (F)

Respondent

Child (A)

Subject

Procedural Posture

Public Law Children Proceedings / Interlocutory Directions Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether expert psychological assessment of the father should be supplemented after disclosure of previous judgments
  2. 2 Whether independent social work reports are required for the father and/or mother
  3. 3 Extent of disclosure of confidential judgments to parties and legal representatives

Ratio Decidendi

The court ordered that the previous judgments be disclosed to the father's legal representative and Dr Hill for the purpose of a complete psychological assessment, with an executive summary to be provided to the mother’s legal team but not to the mother directly. An independent social work report for the father was deemed necessary due to the complexity and inadequacy of existing assessments, but not for the mother at this stage. The court required evidence in statement form regarding the mother's absence due to alleged threats.

Court Disposition

interlocutory orders made; directions given

Orders

  • Dr Hill to be provided with previous judgments and to file an addendum psychological report after disclosure to F.
  • Executive summary of judgments to be prepared for mother’s legal team; full judgments not to be disclosed to mother.