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 memoriam
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.
Catherine Wood KC invited to participate in the Centre for Child and Family Law Reform’s Costs Debate
Catherine Wood KC has been invited to take part in the Centre for Child and Family Law Reform’s Costs Debate on Thursday 6 March 2025.
This event will feature a series of quick-fire debates on costs in family law proceedings, co-chaired by Hannah Markham KC and William Longrigg, and will conclude with a discussion on costs led by Sir Philip Moor.
Drawing on her expertise as a specialist in private law children cases, including those with an international element, Catherine joins the opening debate, presenting her arguments against the proposition: “The time has come to make more costs orders in private Children Act proceedings.”
To learn more about the debate, click here.
Deirdre Fottrell KC Successfully Represents the Respondent in a Court of Appeal Child Arrangements Case
Deirdre Fottrell KC successfully represented the respondent in the Court of Appeal in A, B and C (Child Arrangements: Final Order at Dispute Resolution Appointment), Re [2025] EWCA Civ 55
The Court gave important guidance on the circumstances in which judges can make final orders in private law children cases. Deirdre was instructed by Sarah Hutchinson of Farrer & Co.
Read the judgment here.