Barrister: Sophie Smith-Holland
Source: Family Law Week
Summary:This was an appeal against a decision of Williams J to continue a hybrid fact finding hearing in care proceedings when leading counsel for the mother could not be physically present with her client when she gave live evidence in court, because she was required to shield. Appeal refused. The Court of Appeal held that there was no breach of the mother’s article 6 rights and not only did the Judge reach a decision that was plainly open to him, he reached the correct decision.