Court: High Court (Family Division)
Case No: FD23P00618
Neutral Citation: [2024] EWHC 2808 (Fam)
Date: 5th November 2024
Judge: The Honourable Ms Justice Harris DBE

Parties Involved

• Applicant: AS (the Child’s Mother)
• 1st Respondent: London Borough of Waltham Forest
• 2nd Respondent: MA (the Child’s Father)

Representation

• Applicant:
  • Adam Kayani (instructed by Amna Khaliq and Kauser Fadal of Wilson’s Solicitors)
• 1st Respondent:
  • Olivia Bliss (instructed by the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s Legal Team)
• 2nd Respondent:
  • Mr MA (litigant in person)

Hearing Dates

• 15th – 16th October 2024

Key Facts

This case involves a dispute regarding the welfare of a child under the Children Act 1989. The mother, AS, has brought an application before the High Court, seeking a resolution concerning matters related to the child’s upbringing. The respondents in this case are the London Borough of Waltham Forest, likely acting in its capacity as a local authority, and MA, the child’s father, who is representing himself in court.

Legal Issues

The case concerns child welfare and parental disputes, with a focus on decisions affecting the child’s care and living arrangements. The court will likely need to consider the child’s best interests, a core principle under the Children Act 1989, and may need to make orders regarding parental responsibility or residence.

Observations

The involvement of the local authority suggests that there are potential safeguarding concerns, which may involve social services’ assessments and recommendations. The father’s status as a litigant in person may present challenges regarding the conduct of the case and the presentation of his arguments.

Decision

As of the 5th November 2024 judgment date, the court’s decision on the case had not yet been provided in the summary. The judgment will focus on determining the most appropriate resolution for the child’s welfare based on the evidence presented during the hearing, including the concerns raised by the mother and the local authority.

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