Case No. EWFC-50

1.I have before me three linked cases, all concerning children whose biological father is James MacDougall (‘JM’) who acted as sperm donor in the conception of the children. In the first two cases (‘SW’ and ‘EG’) JM has applied for parental responsibility orders and child arrangements orders (‘CAO’) for him to spend time with the children concerned. In the third case, the mother (‘KE’) has applied to vary an existing CAO and for a non-molestation order, and JM has applied for enforcement of the existing CAO. I decided to adjourn the latter case, although varying the existing CAO. KE’s case has a number of features quite distinct from that of SW and EG, in particular that the child (‘B’) has had contact with JM over a period, recognises him as his father, and that there are court orders in place granting JM contact. Most importantly, B has recently presented with unexplained bruises on three occasions, and I have ordered a s.37 report to be drawn up by Sheffield CC. For those reasons I adjourned proceedings concerning B. 2.JM was represented by Ms Lorna Robertson, SW and EG were represented by Ms Bethany Armitage, KE was represented by Ms Jasmine Harrison and the Guardian was represented by Ms Carolyn Jones. I am very grateful to all of them for their assistance in the case.