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England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division) Decisions |
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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division) Decisions >> T (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 1889 (23 November 2017) URL: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2017/1889.html Cite as: [2018] 1 FLR 1457, [2017] EWCA Civ 1889, [2018] Fam 290, [2018] 1 FCR 149, [2017] WLR(D) 781, [2018] 2 WLR 1570 |
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ON APPEAL FROM HIGH COURT (FAMILY DIVISION)
His Honour Judge Furness QC, sitting as a judge of the High Court
CF 17 P 00290
Strand, London, WC2A 2LL |
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B e f o r e :
LORD JUSTICE DAVIS
and
LORD JUSTICE HICKINBOTTOM
____________________
Re : T (a child) |
____________________
Neither Respondent attended or was represented
Hearing date: 7 November 2017
____________________
Crown Copyright ©
Lord Justice McFarlane:
Focus of the Appeal
Non-Molestation Order
"79…this would give a rather strange result that there was no power to make a non-molestation order but, once permission was given to invoke the inherent jurisdiction, then family proceedings existed within the Family Law Act 1996 and such an order could be made for the benefit of a relevant child, making the proceedings under the inherent jurisdiction redundant. It leaves me somewhat uncomfortable about using the inherent jurisdiction only to provide a power within a different statute."
"81…the provision is designed to prevent molestation. "Molest" is not further defined but has been taken to mean "pester" or conduct which constitutes such a degree of harassment as to call for the intervention of the court; C v C [2001] EWCA Civ 1625. The court cannot make a non-molestation order unless there is evidence of molestation.
82 In the present case there is evidence of watching, observing, researching habits and passing notes which are unsettling and disturbing but which have not actually been seen by [the child]. I am not convinced that this constitutes molestation to justify an order under the Family Law Act 1996.
83 Accordingly I have come to the clear conclusion that it would be stretching the legislation beyond a permissible margin to make an order under the Family Law Act 1996."
The Statutory Context
"In this Part a "non-molestation order" means an order containing either or both of the following provisions:
(a)…
(b) provision prohibiting the respondent from molesting a relevant child."
"The court may make a non-molestation order:
(a) if an application for the order has been made (whether in other family proceedings or without any other family proceedings being instituted) by a person who is associated with the respondent; or
(b) if in any family proceedings to which the respondent is a party the court considers that the order should be made for the benefit of any other party to the proceedings or any relevant child even though no such application has been made."
"In this Part "relevant child", in relation to any proceedings under this Part means:
(a) any child who is living with or might reasonably be expected to live with either party to the proceedings;
(b) any child in relation to whom an order under the Adoption Act 1976, the Adoption and Children Act 2002 or the Children Act 1989 is in question in the proceedings; and
(c) any other child whose interests the court considers relevant."
In relation to the present case it is s.62(2)(c) which is said to apply.
"Molestation"
"…We are also aware that during the recent hearing (8 March 2017) Mr [JM] gave evidence to the court which suggests that he and the mother have acquired a great deal of information about us and have made a practice of researching our lives and activities. Despite our details having been given to only a limited number of professionals we understand that mother and her partner have details of our names, address and business, as well as our daily routines and activities. We do not know of any reason why they would have sought out this information other than as a means of trying to gain access to [the child]. We remain completely committed to caring for [the child] but the activities of [mother and Mr JM] are very frightening and unsettling and constantly in our minds. We can never be sure that she is entirely safe or whether someone is watching her or us.
5 The situation impacts mostly on [the child] as she cannot attend her after-school activities. We have to risk-assess everything. She has missed out on sleepovers and birthday parties. We cannot leave her with anybody due to the situation so that puts immense pressure on us both if we have to go for a simple appointment….The only respite we get is on holiday where we can let our guard down a little and allow [the child] a bit more freedom….
6 We are constantly on guard and have to keep [the child] within our sight. We are also worried about our own safety, [the child's] safety and members of our family. The mother and Mr JM are obviously aware of our daily routines so we are vulnerable. We can't allow [the child] to play outside or ride her bike. We have to take her into school and collect her at the end of the day which makes her different as we cant' drop her off and allow her to go into school on her own as happens with other children of her age and developing maturity. We try to carry on as normal but are always on high alert….Following the recent incident [the child] was angry that she might have had to miss a school trip as a result of her mother's actions. From her point of view, she simply sees that her mother's behaviour is placing restriction on her activities."
"… I have no doubt that the word "molesting"…does not imply necessarily either violence or threats of violence. It applies to any conduct which can properly be regarded as such a degree of harassment as to call for the intervention of the court."
"…There is no legal definition of "molestation". Indeed, that is quite clear from the various cases which have been cited. It is a matter which has to be considered in relation to the particular facts of particular cases. It implies some quite deliberate conduct which is aimed at a high degree of harassment of the other party, so as to justify the intervention of the court."
The Respondents
Discussion
(i) Jurisdiction
(ii) Non-molestation
i) The mother is a desperate woman who feels that the court orders preventing her having contact with the child are unfair;
ii) Her desperation has increased in the months prior to the hearing, coinciding with a period that Mr JM was at liberty;
iii) She was considering an attempt to remove the child (from school or the foster carers);
iv) She knows significant details of the child's daily life;
v) She was in the area on 2nd March to try and abduct the child;
vi) The mother and Mr JM together and individually 'pose a genuine threat to the placement of [the child] by way of abduction';
vii) Even if wrong about the threat of abduction, the mother's behaviour has the inevitable effect of destabilising the placement.
'62. I am satisfied that the mother's current behaviour, supported by JM who has travelled up to [the area] on 2-3 occasions he told me, threatens her placement again. It is wholly unjustified and leads to a clear detriment for [the child] – everyone must be on their guard, safeguarding measures are in place, there is police involvement, the school have been warned and the foster parents are constantly on their guard. It is extremely unsettling for the foster parents of [the child], and in my judgment is positively harmful to [the child] and, if it [is] allowed to continue, is likely to lead to the termination of the placement and significant harm to [the child].
63. I am absolutely satisfied that [the child] needs the protection of the Court to be able to live her life, safely, freely and happily. If she is not afforded such protection she is likely to suffer disruption and significant emotional harm. Her welfare demands that I protect her from the mother and from Mr JM'.
'For the reasons which I have already outlined any consideration of the circumstances of the case including the need to secure the health, safety and well-being of the applicant or any relevant child would clearly indicate the necessity for an order.'
Lord Justice Davis:
Lord Justice Hickinbottom: