NOTTINGHAM COUNTY COUNCIL v FARMER & ORS

The court granted both applications because the children, being Gillick-competent, made informed and reasonable choices to sever all links with their father, including termination of parental responsibility and change of surname, and the father's conduct and lack of remorse further justified these orders in the children's best interests.

Parties: Applicant: Nottingham County Council; First Respondent Father: Matthew Farmer; Second Respondent Child: T (child); Third Respondent Child: M (child)
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
Judgment Date: 11 April 2022
Procedural Posture: Care Order and Ancillary Applications / Final Judgment
Outcome: Applications for termination of parental responsibility and change of surname granted.
Legal Topics: Care Orders, Parental Responsibility, Change of Surname, Gillick Competence

Family Law Child Welfare Care Orders Parental Responsibility Change of Surname Gillick Competence

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Parties

Nottingham County Council

Applicant

Matthew Farmer

First Respondent Father

T (child)

Second Respondent Child

M (child)

Third Respondent Child

Procedural Posture

Care Order and Ancillary Applications / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

1 Whether final care orders should be made for the children
2 Whether the father's parental responsibility should be terminated
3 Whether the children's surname should be changed from 'Farmer' to 'Clay'

Ratio Decidendi

Court Disposition

Applications for termination of parental responsibility and change of surname granted.

Orders

Care orders made for both children.
Father's parental responsibility terminated.