N (a child), Re

N (a child), Re

The court found that the great aunt and uncle had failed to support N's relationship with her mother, leading to emotional harm and alienation. The original agreement was for N to return to her mother after her studies, and the mother is able to meet N's needs. Delay would entrench harm and make reunification more difficult. The paramount interests of N require an immediate transfer to her mother's care and relocation to Latvia, with indirect and then direct contact with the great aunt and uncle.

Parties
Applicant: The Mother; First Respondent: The Father; Second Respondent: The Maternal Great Aunt; Third Respondent: The Maternal Great Uncle
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
02 February 2026
Procedural Posture
Private Law Children Proceedings (relocation and Child Arrangements) / Final Judgment
Outcome
Application granted; child to live with mother and relocate to Latvia.
Legal Topics
Child Arrangements Order, Leave to Remove From Jurisdiction, Welfare Principle, Parental Responsibility, Contact Arrangements, Emotional Harm, Alienation, Status Quo, Natural Parent Presumption, International Relocation
Family Law Child Law International Relocation Child Arrangements Order Leave to Remove From Jurisdiction Welfare Principle Parental Responsibility Contact Arrangements +4 more

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Parties

The Mother

Applicant

The Father

First Respondent

The Maternal Great Aunt

Second Respondent

The Maternal Great Uncle

Third Respondent

Procedural Posture

Private Law Children Proceedings (relocation and Child Arrangements) / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the child N should live with her mother in Latvia or remain with her maternal great aunt and uncle in the UK
  2. 2 Whether leave to remove N from the jurisdiction should be granted to the mother
  3. 3 What contact arrangements are in N's best interests

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the great aunt and uncle had failed to support N's relationship with her mother, leading to emotional harm and alienation. The original agreement was for N to return to her mother after her studies, and the mother is able to meet N's needs. Delay would entrench harm and make reunification more difficult. The paramount interests of N require an immediate transfer to her mother's care and relocation to Latvia, with indirect and then direct contact with the great aunt and uncle.

Court Disposition

Application granted; child to live with mother and relocate to Latvia.

Orders

  • Child arrangements order: N to live with her mother.
  • Leave to remove N from the jurisdiction granted to the mother from 27 December 2025.