RG24P0700 - [2025] EWHC 1876 (Fam)

Ms Cockley reported in a detailed report dated 14 February 2025. She carried out an extensive number of announced and unannounced visits to the parties. She read the court bundle and had access to the applicant’s heath records. She sets out a detailed background of the parties and describes D as a happy boy who is meeting all of his development milestones. She rigorously applies the welfare checklist to the issues of the child arrangements order applications. In response to the respondent’s concerns about the applicant’s mental health she notes there is no risk to D. In respect of the respondent’s concerns that the applicant poses a risk of sexual abuse to D, Ms Cockley states: “I have been unable to identify any evidence or risk” of the same. She states that the applicant “does not pose any child protection risks to D”. She notes the respondent’s over anxious and hypersensitive concerns about the applicant’s parenting. She notes the respondent has struggled with the loss of control over D.

She supports D living with his mother. She supports the applicant’s application for increased contact. She is of the view the applicant is and will continue to be a good father to D. In respect of the specific questions asked of her:

She gave brief clear oral evidence. She maintained her view that a shared lives with order was necessary to prevent the respondent minimising the applicant’s role in D’s life. She noted the respondent struggled with the applicant’s role in D’s life. She did not have confidence in the respondent’s decision making progress. When asked about a spend times with order and parental responsibility pursuant to section 12 (2A) of the 1989 Act she remained of the view that it was better for D if the parents had equal rights. She was very clear that she did not want the respondent to control decision making for D. She considered D should spend Friday nights with the applicant to allow for a longer weekend. There was a debate about how soon D could spend significant overnight periods with the applicant given the summer holiday is about to begin. She reiterated the very good relationship D has with his father. She said that the respondent does not respect the applicant’s role in D’s life.