SITTING AT LEICESTER
Strand, London, WC2A 2LL |
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B e f o r e :
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MGM |
First Applicant |
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- and - |
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MGF |
Second Applicant |
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- and - |
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F |
First Respondent |
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- and - |
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W AND N (Children, through their Children's Guardian) |
Second and Third Respondents |
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The First Respondent (appeared in person) and represented himself
Ms Kathryn Moran and Ms Monique Sherman (instructed by R P Robin Solicitors) for the Second and Third Respondents
Hearing dates: 6 February 2025
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Crown Copyright ©
Mrs Justice Lieven DBE :
"Dear Sirs,
I write in respect of the above named matter in which I represent the children through the instructions of the Children's Guardian..
…
Unfortunately, I am instructed to write to the court to confirm that she currently is of the view that sibling contact would not be in the interests of either child given the following:
1. [The F] has attempted to control every aspect in the organisation of the contact dictating the dates (2 sessions only), times (30 minutes only), venue and that he must be present or at least in the vicinity with sight of N.
2. [The F] has made it clear that he will comply with the two sessions but will not engage long term in any facilitating of contact once court proceedings are concluded.
3. [The F] has stated that Maternal Grandparents should not be present or involved in any contact sessions but he will wait in the vicinity so that N is comfortable and as contact progresses, his wife can be present to get to know W before it progresses to their home."
"I have communicated with Court, I have emailed and tried calling them several times but unfortunately, I cannot make the hearing next week as I simply cannot afford to have a day off work, this will be putting my family in financial hardship, as will applying to appear remotely, I am very sorry but I just cannot afford the fee at the moment."