The leave application
18.M’s application was issued in May 2021. There was then considerable delay within the court, for which I have apologised to the parties, before a first hearing was listed on 8 November 2021. At that hearing I directed the parties to file evidence and skeleton arguments, made provision for disclosure of the papers from the care proceedings, and listed the leave application for hearing on 21 February 2022. 19.In her C1 application form M set out the change in her own circumstances on which she relied in support of her application. She said that she had matured significantly since the care proceedings and was now working and living independently. She had ended her relationship with T’s father shortly after the care proceedings concluded, and was now single and focusing on building her own career. 20.In her application M also alleged that she had been subjected to physical, emotional and sexual abuse from MGM during her childhood, and raised concerns that T was also experiencing abuse: in a C1A form filed with her application she alleged that she had seen bruising on T’s body during contact, which she believed had been caused by MGM. 21.M’s explanation for not raising the allegations of abuse in the 2017 care proceedings was that MGM had told her that if she did so, T would be adopted. 22.MGM and the LA oppose M’s application. It is the view of the LA, which continues to provide support to M, that there has not been a significant change in her circumstances since the 2017 order was made. The LA is of the view that T is thriving and well-cared for in MGM’s home and that he is not at risk of abuse. 23.MGM denies the allegations against her.