L v S

L v S

The respondent's continuing and significant wilful failure to comply with court orders to return the eldest child to the jurisdiction constitutes contempt of court, warranting an immediate custodial sentence of six months.

Parties
Applicant: S; Respondent: L
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
19 October 2022
Procedural Posture
Committal Proceedings (family Division) / Sentencing After Finding of Contempt
Outcome
Respondent sentenced to immediate imprisonment for contempt of court.
Legal Topics
Committal for Contempt, Child Abduction, Enforcement of Court Orders, Wardship
Family Law Contempt of Court Committal for Contempt Child Abduction Enforcement of Court Orders Wardship

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Parties

S

Applicant

L

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Committal Proceedings (family Division) / Sentencing After Finding of Contempt

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the respondent wilfully failed to comply with court orders regarding the return of a child to the jurisdiction
  2. 2 Appropriate sanction for contempt of court

Ratio Decidendi

The respondent's continuing and significant wilful failure to comply with court orders to return the eldest child to the jurisdiction constitutes contempt of court, warranting an immediate custodial sentence of six months.

Court Disposition

Respondent sentenced to immediate imprisonment for contempt of court.

Orders

  • Respondent committed to prison for six months.
  • Permission granted to the applicant's solicitors to disclose the committal order and translated judgment to proceedings outside the jurisdiction.