Reported Case: Deirdre Fottrell KC, Rebecca Foulkes and Andrew Powell appear in the matter of S v F and M [2025] EWHC 439(Fam
Judgment in S v F and M [2025] EWHC 439 (Fam), a case attracting widespread media attention has been handed down.
The case concerned a 13-year-old boy (now 14), ‘S’ born in the UK. In March 2024, he was taken to the Republic of Ghana by his parents. The parents and S each held both Ghanaian and British nationality. In September 2024, S applied through his solicitor to make himself a ward of the High Court and for an order that he be returned to the jurisdiction of England and Wales.
The case concerned an examination of whether the parents’ decision to remove S to Ghana was within the ambit of their parental decision making, in circumstances where the parents alleged that S was at risk of peripheral involvement with gang culture. Mr Justice Hayden ruled that “the decision falls within what I regard as the generous ambit of parental decision-making, in which the State has no dominion.”
Deirdre Fottrell KC represented the young person, S, leading Andrew Powell on 18 February 2025, and Prof Rob George (Harcourt – Family Law) on 26 -27 November 2024, instructed by James Netto of The International Family Law Group LLP.
Rebecca Foulkes represented the father, instructed by Forum Shah from Dawson Cornwell.
Read the judgment and view the press coverage below:
Her Honour Judge Shirley Anwyl KC in memoriam
4PB are saddened to learn of the death of Her Honour Judge Shirley Anwyl KC who was a much loved member of 4 Paper Buildings before her appointment as a Circuit Judge in 1995, serving as the Resident Judge at Woolwich Crown Court from 1999 to 2007.
Catherine Wood KC invited to participate in the Centre for Child and Family Law Reform’s Costs Debate
Catherine Wood KC has been invited to take part in the Centre for Child and Family Law Reform’s Costs Debate on Thursday 6 March 2025.
This event will feature a series of quick-fire debates on costs in family law proceedings, co-chaired by Hannah Markham KC and William Longrigg, and will conclude with a discussion on costs led by Sir Philip Moor.
Drawing on her expertise as a specialist in private law children cases, including those with an international element, Catherine joins the opening debate, presenting her arguments against the proposition: “The time has come to make more costs orders in private Children Act proceedings.”
To learn more about the debate, click here.
Deirdre Fottrell KC Successfully Represents the Respondent in a Court of Appeal Child Arrangements Case
Deirdre Fottrell KC successfully represented the respondent in the Court of Appeal in A, B and C (Child Arrangements: Final Order at Dispute Resolution Appointment), Re [2025] EWCA Civ 55
The Court gave important guidance on the circumstances in which judges can make final orders in private law children cases. Deirdre was instructed by Sarah Hutchinson of Farrer & Co.
Read the judgment here.
Chris Barnes Discusses Judicial Anonymity on Times Radio and LBC
Having successfully challenged an anonymity order on substantive and procedural grounds in Tickle and Summers v BBC, PA, and Others, a Court of Appeal hearing concerning an order anonymising judges in historical proceedings involving Sara Sharif and her siblings, Chris Barnes will be sharing his insights on judicial anonymity, across major platforms today.
Times Radio – 1:30pm with Geoff Norcott (in for Ayesha Hazarika)
🔗 Listen live: https://www.thetimes.com/radio/schedule
LBC – 4:30pm with Tom Swarbrick
🔗 Listen live: https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/schedule/
Catherine Wood KC Invited to Speak at the West Sussex Resolution Family Law Seminar
The West Sussex Resolution Family Law Seminar is just one week away, and we are delighted that Catherine Wood KC has been invited to share her expertise in arbitration.
As one of the first barristers to qualify as an Arbitrator in children’s cases and a registered Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Catherine is widely regarded not only as one of the leading experts in family law but also as a trusted authority in arbitration, with extensive experience, including 18 years as a Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit, to draw upon. Consistently recognised in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 for over 20 years, she is praised as an “excellent and persuasive advocate who has enormous authority.” and known for being “exceptionally prepared.”
Her session, “Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Arbitration (But Were Too Afraid to Ask),” promises to offer a practical and engaging overview of arbitration.
For more information about the seminar, click here.