B and K and L and The Official Solicitor [2021] NIFam 31 (03 August 2021)

B and K and L and The Official Solicitor [2021] NIFam 31 (03 August 2021)

The court ordered that Y's surname be changed to that of her birth mother, K, as this best reflected Y's primary attachment and identity. Contact between B and Y should continue at a reduced frequency, as it is currently of value to Y, but without a penal order due to Y's age and the unpredictability of her wishes following narrative work. The specific issue order was limited to notification of significant health matters and address changes outside Belfast, with no obligation to provide school reports. Previous interim protective orders were revoked as no longer necessary.

Citation
[2021] NIFam 31
Parties
Applicant: B; Respondent: K; Respondent: L; Respondent: The Official Solicitor; Notice Party: Registrar General for Northern Ireland
Jurisdiction
Northern Ireland
Judgment Date
03 August 2021
Procedural Posture
Family Law / Final Orders Following Previous Judgments
Outcome
Final orders made correcting birth registration, changing surname, defining contact, and revoking previous orders.
Legal Topics
Birth Registration, Parental Responsibility, Contact Orders, Specific Issue Orders, Child Welfare, Change of Surname
Family Law Birth Registration Parental Responsibility Contact Orders Specific Issue Orders Child Welfare Change of Surname

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 2 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

B

Applicant

K

Respondent

L

Respondent

The Official Solicitor

Respondent

Registrar General for Northern Ireland

Notice Party

Procedural Posture

Family Law / Final Orders Following Previous Judgments

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Correction of birth registration
  2. 2 Change of child's surname
  3. 3 Contact arrangements between child and non-parent

Ratio Decidendi

The court ordered that Y's surname be changed to that of her birth mother, K, as this best reflected Y's primary attachment and identity. Contact between B and Y should continue at a reduced frequency, as it is currently of value to Y, but without a penal order due to Y's age and the unpredictability of her wishes following narrative work. The specific issue order was limited to notification of significant health matters and address changes outside Belfast, with no obligation to provide school reports. Previous interim protective orders were revoked as no longer necessary.

Court Disposition

Final orders made correcting birth registration, changing surname, defining contact, and revoking previous orders.

Orders

  • Y's surname to be changed to that of her birth mother, K.
  • All necessary steps to be taken to correct the birth registration as per Registrar General's recommendations.