Jason Green represented the applicant mother in her successful application to relocate with her 7-year old daughter (“C”) to State A in M v F1 & Anor (Relocation) [2026] EWFC 284.
These were long-running, difficult proceedings in which the first instance judge had dismissed the mother’ application requiring an appeal to the Court of Appeal. The linked case of S-O (Children), Re (Relocation and Prohibited Steps Order) [2026] EWCA Civ 998 was reported earlier this year: Jason succeeded in overturning the judge’s decision. The case was remitted for rehearing by a High Court Judge and the judge’s findings of fact were vacated.
After a four-day hearing in front of Peel J the court found that the child’s welfare was best served by living with her mother and made significant findings of domestic abuse and poor litigation conduct against the child’s father including having attempted to conceal serious findings of violence in previous proceedings involving his children from a previous relationship.
The court conducted a holistic welfare analysis and prescribed by the authorities and a set out a helpful summary of the law in relation to findings of domestic abuse being factored into the welfare analysis when determining an application for international relocation.
Taking account of C’s relationships with both parents and her older half-brother, S, Peel J found the mother’s account of F2’s behaviour broadly accurate and found F2 to be an unconvincing witness who had been deceitful during the proceedings.
The court concluded that while C’s welfare was best served by living with her mother in State A, her brother, S, would remain in England with his father. Extensive arrangements were made to preserve C’s relationships with F2 and S, including direct and indirect contact and cross-jurisdictional safeguards.
Jason, instructed by TV Edwards Solicitors, acted for the Applicant mother.
