Child
A local authority v M and others [2020] EWFC 43, [2020] All ER (D) 82 (Jun)
The father’s application to adjourn a part-heard final hearing, concerning the welfare of his child, was dismissed. The Family Court noted that the relevant principles and guidance applicable to determining the question of whether to hold a remote or hybrid hearing or to adjourn to await a fully face to face hearing had, necessarily, evolved as the understanding of the nature, extent and likely future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had evolved. The court held that it was clear from the signposts set out in ‘The Family Court and Covid-19: The Road Ahead’ that adjourning cases indefinitely or for a period of many months would not be a viable option and that adjourning a case to await a fully face to face hearing was unlikely to be a proper course where an effective and fair remote or hybrid hearing could be held with steps taken to maximise the fairness of that remote or hybrid process. Accordingly,
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