Visit JCPCUKSC/2021/0196
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FAMILY
In the matter H-W (Children)
Case summary
Case ID
UKSC/2021/0196
Parties
Appellant(s)
HW
Respondent(s)
A Local Authority
Issue
When an appellate court reviews a first instance decision concerning the proportionality of orders made under the courts’ obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998, is it necessary for the appellate court to undertake its own proportionality assessment of that decision?
Facts
The First Appellant, M, is the mother of six children including C, D, E, and F. Following longstanding concerns related to both sexual abuse by their elder brother A and neglect, in March 2020 the local authority issued proceedings seeking to take C, D, and E into its care and place them in three separate foster homes. It also sought that M’s newly born child F (daughter of the Second Appellant F3) be removed for adoption.Following two hearings, Judge McPhee found that E had been sexually assaulted by her brother, A, and that M and F3 had both failed to protect the children from sexual abuse and delayed reporting the assault. Judge McPhee ultimately concluded that it would not be safe for C, D, and E to remain in the care of M and F3 and therefore made the care orders sought. A final decision in respect of F was postponed.The First Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal, which by a two to one majority decision dismissed the appeal.
Date of issue
11 October 2021
Judgment appealed
Judgment details
Judgment date
15 June 2022
Neutral citation
[2022] UKSC 17
Judgment links
Judgment summary
15 June 2022
Appeal
Justices
Hearing dates
Start date
22 March 2022
End date
22 March 2022
Watch hearings
22 March 2022 - Morning session
22 March 2022 - Afternoon session
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Last updated 16 April 2024