Deirdre Fottrell KC, Michael Gration KC and Andrew Powell Appear Before the Court of Appeal in Three Conjoined Cases: Re J, Re M and Re P (Loss of Parental Responsibility)

Three members of chambers will be appearing in the Court of Appeal this week in three conjoined appeals: In the matter of Re J, Re M, Re P (Loss of parental responsibility). The appeals will address what the legal position is when a declaration of non-parentage is made in respect of a man who is not married to the child’s mother who is named as father on a child’s birth certificate. Is his parental responsibility void or does he retain parental responsibility that can only be removed by court order?

Michael Gration KC and Andrew Powell appear on behalf of Reunite, instructed by Colin Rogerson and Rose-Marie Drury of Mills and Reeve.

Deirdre Fottrell KC (together with Lorraine Cavanagh KC and Lucy Bennett) appears on behalf of the Association of Lawyers for Children, instructed by Somia Siddiq of ITN Solicitors.

The appeal is being heard by The President of the Family Division, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Stuart-Smith and is due to be heard over three days. The appeal will be available on live-stream and is expected to start in the afternoon on 24 November.