M v F & Anor

M v F & Anor

The mother’s approach to parenting, characterised by medical over-anxiety, excessive control, hypervigilance, and use of non-prescribed medications and supplements, caused or was likely to cause emotional harm to T. The father’s allegations were broadly accepted as truthful, while the mother’s evidence was found unreliable, exaggerated, and at times dishonest. Allegations of domestic abuse by either parent were not proved. The welfare of T is best served in the father’s care, with supervised contact for the mother.

Parties
Applicant: M; First Respondent: F; Second Respondent: T (by his Children’s Guardian)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
06 April 2025
Procedural Posture
Family / Judgment After Fact Finding Hearing
Outcome
Mother’s allegations against father not proved; father’s allegations against mother largely proved; T’s welfare best served in father’s care.
Legal Topics
Child Custody, Parental Responsibility, Medical Neglect, Fabricated or Induced Illness (fii), Emotional Harm, Domestic Abuse Allegations
Family Law Child Welfare Child Custody Parental Responsibility Medical Neglect Fabricated or Induced Illness (fii) Emotional Harm Domestic Abuse Allegations

Case Brief

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Parties

M

Applicant

F

First Respondent

T (by his Children’s Guardian)

Second Respondent

Procedural Posture

Family / Judgment After Fact Finding Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the mother’s parenting caused emotional or physical harm to T
  2. 2 Whether the father’s allegations of medical over-anxiety and fabricated illness are proved
  3. 3 Whether either parent perpetrated domestic abuse

Ratio Decidendi

The mother’s approach to parenting, characterised by medical over-anxiety, excessive control, hypervigilance, and use of non-prescribed medications and supplements, caused or was likely to cause emotional harm to T. The father’s allegations were broadly accepted as truthful, while the mother’s evidence was found unreliable, exaggerated, and at times dishonest. Allegations of domestic abuse by either parent were not proved. The welfare of T is best served in the father’s care, with supervised contact for the mother.

Court Disposition

Mother’s allegations against father not proved; father’s allegations against mother largely proved; T’s welfare best served in father’s care.

Orders

  • T to remain living with father
  • Mother to have supervised contact