A (A Child) (Fact Finding Hearing), Re [2025] EWFC 280 (B) (22 August 2025)

A (A Child) (Fact Finding Hearing), Re [2025] EWFC 280 (B) (22 August 2025)

The court found that S perpetrated repeated verbal abuse and controlling behaviour towards B, including a sustained pattern of demeaning and threatening conduct, which amounted to domestic abuse. The court rejected S's allegations that B's care of A amounted to neglect or abuse, finding that the injuries to A were accidental and not indicative of culpable neglect. The court found no evidence that B perpetrated domestic abuse against S or the PGM. The PGM's evidence was found to be partial and not reliable on key points. The findings will inform the welfare stage of proceedings regarding child arrangements and relocation.

Citation
[2025] EWFC 280 (B)
Parties
Applicant: S; Respondent: B; Intervener: The PGM
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
22 August 2025
Procedural Posture
Family Children Act Proceedings (fact Finding) / Post Fact Finding Judgment
Outcome
Findings of fact made: S perpetrated domestic abuse against B; no findings of neglect or abuse against B; no findings of abuse against the PGM.
Legal Topics
Domestic Abuse, Fact Finding Hearing, Child Arrangements, Parental Responsibility, Relocation, Neglect, Coercive and Controlling Behaviour
Family Law Domestic Abuse Fact Finding Hearing Child Arrangements Parental Responsibility Relocation Neglect Coercive and Controlling Behaviour

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Parties

S

Applicant

B

Respondent

The PGM

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Family Children Act Proceedings (fact Finding) / Post Fact Finding Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether S perpetrated domestic abuse (including coercive and controlling behaviour) against B
  2. 2 Whether B perpetrated domestic abuse or neglect against S, A, or the PGM
  3. 3 Whether the PGM perpetrated domestic abuse against B

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that S perpetrated repeated verbal abuse and controlling behaviour towards B, including a sustained pattern of demeaning and threatening conduct, which amounted to domestic abuse. The court rejected S's allegations that B's care of A amounted to neglect or abuse, finding that the injuries to A were accidental and not indicative of culpable neglect. The court found no evidence that B perpetrated domestic abuse against S or the PGM. The PGM's evidence was found to be partial and not reliable on key points. The findings will inform the welfare stage of proceedings regarding child arrangements and relocation.

Court Disposition

Findings of fact made: S perpetrated domestic abuse against B; no findings of neglect or abuse against B; no findings of abuse against the PGM.

Orders

  • Findings to be considered at welfare stage for child arrangements and relocation; no immediate change to interim contact or arrangements.