Protecting a Child’s Wellbeing in Court

Background

We represented a mother in Children Act proceedings after the child’s father applied for substantial contact with their nine-month-old. The parents’ relationship had ended before the child’s birth, and the father, based in Yorkshire, sought regular time with the child. However, the mother had concerns over his mental health, drug and alcohol misuse, and requested hair strand testing to assess potential risks.

Approach

We navigated repeated delays caused by the father, who sought to avoid testing and control proceedings. Despite his attempts to rely on his professional background to establish good character, we successfully argued for multiple rounds of hair strand testing, each returning positive results. Our advocacy ensured the court recognised the risks, and our strategic use of junior team members helped manage legal costs for the mother.

Outcome

The court ruled in favour of the child’s welfare, issuing a Final Order preventing contact between the father and child unless and until he produced a negative hair strand test. This decision ensured the child’s safety and provided the mother with much-needed reassurance.