O (Care Proceedings), Re

O (Care Proceedings), Re

The judge's decision to exclude the mother as a future carer for the child at a case management hearing, without notice or opportunity for her to give evidence or make submissions, was a serious procedural irregularity resulting in injustice. The appeal is allowed and the relevant recital is deleted from the order.

Parties
Appellant: Mother; First Respondent: Local Authority; Second Respondent: Father; Third Respondent: Children's Guardian
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 June 2024
Procedural Posture
Care Proceedings (family) / Appeal From Case Management Hearing
Outcome
Appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Care Proceedings, Procedural Fairness, Case Management, Exclusion of Parent as Carer, Appeal Procedure

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Mother

Appellant

Local Authority

First Respondent

Father

Second Respondent

Children's Guardian

Third Respondent

Procedural Posture

Care Proceedings (family) / Appeal From Case Management Hearing

  1. 1 Whether the judge's decision to exclude the mother as a future carer at a case management hearing was unjust due to procedural irregularity

Ratio Decidendi

The judge's decision to exclude the mother as a future carer for the child at a case management hearing, without notice or opportunity for her to give evidence or make submissions, was a serious procedural irregularity resulting in injustice. The appeal is allowed and the relevant recital is deleted from the order.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed

Orders

  • Recital 5 of the order dated 17 April 2024 is deleted.
  • Proceedings to be transferred to another judge for urgent case management hearing.