Harcourt Chambers News

Can the High Court order the return of a child from a 1980 Hague Convention country under the inherent jurisdiction? – Ben Woolstencroft in T v P [2026] EWHC 2242 (Fam)

The High Court has considered the use of its inherent jurisdiction to seek the return of a child from Russia, a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention, where the Convention…

How should the Family Court protect a child from the wider consequences of serious abuse perpetrated against an older sibling? – Matthew Brookes-Baker, Oliver Powell and Fazeela Ishmael in A and B, Re (No. 3) [2026] EWFC 248

Following findings of serious sexual abuse, coercive control and intimidation of an older sibling, the court considered the profound implications for her younger sister’s contact with their father, including long-term…

When should the Family Court override the strongly expressed wishes of a nearly 17-year-old who wants to return home? – Matthew Brookes-Baker, Oliver Powell and Fazeela Ishmael in A and B, Re (No. 2) (care – welfare after findings of sexual abuse) [2026] EWFC 247

Following findings of serious sexual abuse by her stepfather, the court considered whether a young person approaching seventeen should remain in foster care despite her clear and determined wish to…

How should the Family Court approach serious allegations of sexual abuse where the alleged perpetrator has already been acquitted in criminal proceedings? – Matthew Brookes-Baker, Oliver Powell and Fazeela Ishmael in A and B, Re (No. 1) (care – fact-finding – sexual abuse) [2026] EWFC 246 

Following a Crown Court acquittal, the Family Court considered afresh a teenager’s allegations of serious sexual abuse by her stepfather and the resulting risk of harm to both her and…

Congratulations to our finalists in this year’s LexisNexis Family Law Awards

We are delighted to announce that a number of our members have been shortlisted as finalists in the prestigious 2026 LexisNexis Family Law Awards in the following categories:

Family Law…

Frances Harris and Sian Cox’s article ‘Child focused courts and the neurodivergent family’ published in Family Law Journal

Frances Harris and Sian Cox’s article ‘Child focused courts and the neurodivergent family’ published in the August issue of the Family Law Journal, considers the anticipated roll out of the…

Ashika Singh and Iona McNeill have accepted offers of tenancy with Harcourt Chambers

“I am thrilled to announce that Ashika and Iona will be joining us as tenants at the conclusion of their pupillages.  It was evident from early on that both were…

When a child suffers an unexplained fracture, can suspicious circumstances be enough to prove causation? – Craig Jeakings in G, In the Matter Of [2026] EWFC 227 (B)

In G, In the Matter Of [2026] EWFC 227 (B) the Family Court declined to find that a young child’s unexplained arm fracture was inflicted, emphasising that opportunity, inconsistent accounts and understandable…

Can protective orders ensure a safe return home where a parent does not recognise the risks the orders are intended to guard against? James Turner, Alex Forbes and Eleanor Howard in Oxfordshire County Council, v M & Ors [2026] EWFC 228 (B)

In Oxfordshire County Council, v M & Ors [2026] EWFC 228 (B) the court considered whether protective orders could safely support reunification where a mother continued to minimise the father’s sexual offending…

Fiona Hay shortlisted for Chambers UK Bar Awards Family Junior of the Year 2026

We are delighted to announce that Fiona Hay has been shortlisted for Family Junior of the Year for the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2026. Fiona is one of just three…

When similar incidents recur, how far can previous evidence of medical equipment interference support later allegations? – Nick Goodwin KC in P (A CHILD) (INTERFERENCE WITH MEDICAL EQUIPMENT) [2026] EWHC 2100 (Fam)

Nicholas Goodwin KC, instructed by Catriona Allan of Goodman Ray Solicitors, led James Norman of 42BR in P (A CHILD) (INTERFERENCE WITH MEDICAL EQUIPMENT) [2026] EWHC 2100 (Fam). They acted for…

What amounts to a “fundamental change of circumstances” when seeking to set aside a Hague return order? – Ruth Cabeza and Alana Hughes in HG (Abduction: Application To Set Aside Return Order) [2026] EWCA Civ 971

Ruth Cabeza and Alana Hughes, instructed by Free Family Representation and Advocacy Project, appeared for the successful appellant mother in HG (Abduction: Application To Set Aside Return Order) [2026] EWCA Civ…