Family proceedings

A child had told his paternal grandparents that he was being hit by his mother and bullied by his half-brother and cousin. The father retained him after that contact visit on the advice of the police and social worker. The mother applied for a child arrangements order and the father applied to maintain the status quo. The judge held that it was in the best interests to return the child to the mother. The Court of Appeal upheld that decision as it was one that had both been open to him and within his discretion.