FD25C40349 - [2025] EWHC 1974 (Fam)

This case was listed to be heard on 1 May 2025. That hearing had to be vacated by reason of matters beyond this court’s control. It was relisted for hearing the next day in a busy list. An urgent hearing was required as was a decision.

On 2 May 2025 I made a decision and gave an ex tempore judgment. I reserved judgment to a date to be confirmed. In the interim, I indicated that the court declined to make a further Deprivation of Liberty order. I did so on both “the balance of convenience” and on best interests’ grounds. I stated that within my reserved judgment I would address what was termed before me – the jurisdiction issue, namely whether the application for a deprivation of liberty order sought in this case cut across the statutory scheme of the Children Act 1989.