Emma Spruce Returns from Maternity Leave
We are delighted to welcome Emma Spruce back from maternity leave.
2025 edition of the Dictionary of Private Children Law now out
The 2025 edition of the Dictionary of Private Children Law is now out. Co-authored by Piers Pressdee KC , together with Zoe Saunders and Prof Rob George, and with a foreword by Lord Justice Baker, it is an invaluable guide for all lawyers working in the private children law field, providing ready access to the relevant case-law, statutory sources and points of practice.
To purchase the latest edition, please click here.
Amean Elgadhy comments on S v F and M [2025] EWHC 439 (Fam) feature in the Metro
Amean Elgadhy was recently featured in Metro.co.uk, commenting on the implications of the recent High Court judgment in S v F and M [2025] EWHC 439 (Fam).
The case examined whether the parents’ decision to relocate S (their 14-year-old son) to Ghana fell within their scope of parental authority, given their concerns that S was at risk of peripheral involvement in gang culture. In the judgment, Mr Justice Hayden ruled that “the decision falls within what I regard as the generous ambit of parental decision-making, in which the State has no dominion.”
Read the article here.
Winning Essay of the 4PB’s Financial Remedy Essay Competition Published in the Family Law Journal
Congratulations to Rebecca Gardner, winner of 4PB’s Financial Remedy Essay Competition, whose winning essay has now been published in the Family Law Journal.
You can now read Rebecca’s essay, The law on maintenance should be reformed to provide for a formulaic approach, here.
The 4PB Alan Inglis Memorial Essay Prize 2025 is now open. For more information about the competition, click here.
Reported Case: Deirdre Fottrell KC, Rebecca Foulkes and Andrew Powell appear in the matter of S v F and M [2025] EWHC 439(Fam
Judgment in S v F and M [2025] EWHC 439 (Fam), a case attracting widespread media attention has been handed down.
The case concerned a 13-year-old boy (now 14), ‘S’ born in the UK. In March 2024, he was taken to the Republic of Ghana by his parents. The parents and S each held both Ghanaian and British nationality. In September 2024, S applied through his solicitor to make himself a ward of the High Court and for an order that he be returned to the jurisdiction of England and Wales.
The case concerned an examination of whether the parents’ decision to remove S to Ghana was within the ambit of their parental decision making, in circumstances where the parents alleged that S was at risk of peripheral involvement with gang culture. Mr Justice Hayden ruled that “the decision falls within what I regard as the generous ambit of parental decision-making, in which the State has no dominion.”
Deirdre Fottrell KC represented the young person, S, leading Andrew Powell on 18 February 2025, and Prof Rob George (Harcourt – Family Law) on 26 -27 November 2024, instructed by James Netto of The International Family Law Group LLP.
Rebecca Foulkes represented the father, instructed by Forum Shah from Dawson Cornwell.
Read the judgment and view the press coverage below:
Her Honour Judge Shirley Anwyl KC in memorium
4PB are saddened to learn of the death of Her Honour Judge Shirley Anwyl KC who was a much loved member of 4 Paper Buildings before her appointment as a Circuit Judge in 1995, serving as the Resident Judge at Woolwich Crown Court from 1999 to 2007.