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Family Court in Manchester Dismisses Non-Molestation Order in Complex Child Arrangement Case: Re A v B [2024] EWFC 124 (B)


In Re A v B [2024] EWFC 124 (B), District Judge F. Hammond of the Family Court at Manchester dismissed the mother’s application for a non-molestation order against the father, citing insufficient evidence of post-separation harassment. The case, which involved three children aged 8, 7, and 4, focused on allegations of abuse, controlling behavior, and coercion. The court found that while both parents engaged in aggressive behavior, there was no clear evidence of the father's control or abuse warranting a non-molestation order. The proceedings highlighted the complexities in determining the children's welfare and future arrangements.


Case Overview:

  • Case Name: Re A v B

  • Court: Family Court at Manchester

  • Judgment Date: 30 April 2024

  • Judge: District Judge F. Hammond

  • Keywords: Child Arrangement Order, Non-Molestation Order, Domestic Abuse, Family Law, Child Welfare


Legal Issues:

Non-Molestation Order:

The court was tasked with determining whether the father’s behavior towards the mother, both during their relationship and post-separation, constituted harassment and warranted a non-molestation order under the Family Law Act 1996.


Child Arrangement and Abuse Allegations:

The court also addressed the mother’s allegations of controlling, coercive, and abusive behavior by the father, which she argued justified her application for a 'lives with' order and a no-contact order for the father.


Court’s Analysis:

  • Non-Molestation Order: The court found that the mother failed to prove the father's post-separation behavior amounted to harassment or molestation. The judge noted that the father's communications appeared to be focused on re-establishing contact with his children rather than harassing the mother.

  • Child Arrangement Allegations: The court concluded that both parents exhibited aggressive behavior during their relationship, but it did not find sufficient evidence of the father’s controlling or coercive behavior. The judge found inconsistencies in the mother’s testimony and determined that the father's actions did not meet the legal threshold for controlling or coercive conduct.


Judgment Summary:

The court dismissed the mother's application for a non-molestation order and found that there was insufficient evidence to support her allegations of controlling and coercive behavior by the father. The case will proceed to a Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA) to further consider the children's welfare and the father's contact rights.


Implications:

This case underscores the challenges in proving allegations of domestic abuse and the importance of consistent evidence in family law proceedings. The judgment highlights the court's emphasis on evidence-based findings when determining child arrangements and protective orders.


References:

  • Family Law Act 1996

  • Children Act 1989

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