Reported Case: Anita Mehta Appears in GM v VB [2025] EWHC 857 (Fam)

Anita Mehta (4PB) and Eleanor Bruce (Coram Chambers), instructed by Lisa Lee (Clifton Ingram LLP Solicitors), appeared in this successful appeal of a case management decision before Mrs Justice Judd. His Honour Judge Tolson KC had discharged the fact-finding hearing and directed an ISW report.

Mrs Justice Judd found:

“There is a significant gulf between the mother’s allegations and the father’s admissions and, in my judgment, the judge was wrong to decide that the already listed fact-finding hearing was not necessary and should be vacated. The allegations made by the mother are extremely serious, and include physical violence, strangulation, threats to kill herself and others, threats of suicide, property damage, and verbal abuse. She alleges that a significant amount of this behaviour occurred in front of the children. The father’s admissions fall some way short of accepting this. He accuses the mother of significant exaggeration. He alleges that she was abusive and violent herself, that she was controlling and dominating in the relationship, and that sometimes her actions triggered his symptoms of PTSD which, in turn, led to him losing control.“

These are very different accounts which are relevant to the welfare outcome for the children as they affect the level of risk posed by the father.

Read the full details of the judgment here.