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So we have just found out the judge hearing his case next month has recently ruled that a father should only have indirect contact with his children 6 times a year. This is despite a doctor saying the children's expressed wishes and feelings were based on a false belief system and they would suffer significant harm in being deprived of a relationship with their father and extended paternal family. Also despite the court accepting that the children were not at risk of physical harm from the father and that the relationship should be rekindled and allowed to flourish. So why this ruling? Because the mother had been unable to promote the relationship and presenting the children for contact did not appear to be workable or appropriate and was against the children's wishes. I have no idea how old these children are but what messages does this give to alienating mothers. I'm furious and scared for what will happen in his case before this judge.
Hey Harli
What type of court / judge stage, is your friend at now? Is this a case that has been made public or information passed from someone else's case?
He's awaiting a decision on a fact finding before a county court judge. His soliciitor is not sure which way it will go but ex hasn't had it all her way so far. This ruling hasn't been made public as far as I know. It came from a social media support site. Really scary reading I can tell you. It was like a manual for alienating mothers.
Hi Harli
Be careful what you read on social media sites as unless a judgment has been made public, you won't know all sides of the case, it's just what someone chooses to share. Sometimes court's make really bizarre decisions for the worst reasons, but in the main, they always try to maintain contact with both parents.
I do try to avoid social media postings but I am afraid he doesn't. I agree you would need to know all the details of the case. The children's ages would be interesting. I'm trying to stay positive about it all but sometimes it's tough. It's been a long fight
On the other side, remember the Rebecca Minnock case? The mother made contact difficult and the judge gave custody to the father because of it - and those facts are well known as it was in the public domain.
It's tough...you've both been through so much, much better to concentrate on your own case and try not to let those doubts overwhelm you. Every case is different and as you say, the mother in your case hasn't had it all her own way, so there's still hope. All you can do is to stay focused and see this through.... we are all behind you. All the best
This is almost a mirror image of my last result in court.....almost to the word!
my judge was only a "Recorder" and because of CAFCASS unable to promote contact or the mother to sustain it and promote it the "Recorder" ruled fornightly indirect only.....until i took court action this last time i'd seen my child every weekend on a Saturday or a Sunday and only 4 overnights within the year which is why i took it back to court to get the overnights, full weekends and holidays enforced....
that blew up in my face big time as some here will have read on my previous posts!
had to wait a year to get it back to court as the judge refused to here an appeal and i couldn't afford the appeal court costs which would've involved the appeal court in London!
now waiting until september for the final hearing (7mths since previous hearing!) again....no consistency in judges!
So sorry to read your story Dad-I-Dad, this is pretty much his story too. He went back to court to enforce an order and suddenly he's arrested for abusing his son, more false allegations are made, the guardian turns against him completely and he's not seen his children for over a year, not even indirect contact allowed. If his case ends up like this I dread to think what will happen. I'll loose him one way or another. His ex is such an effective liar she's even got a DV support worker attending court with her ... no DV ever occurred but she wraps these people round her little finger and they all end up supporting her. The judge has some doubts but is it enough?? I'm praying it is. The children are being abused mentally and need to be away from her or they will end up monsters, he could give them a safe, happy and loving life if he's just given the chance.
Here is a link to a report on this case, it's shocking reading
http://www.marilynstowe.co.uk/2017/07/11/meagre-reward-for-a-fathers-contact-application/
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